National Register of Historic Places

Illinois Central Railroad and Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad Freight House

El Paso, Woodford County, Illinois
Listed
August 15, 1994
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
94000973

About this property

El Paso freight station is a historic freight depot located at 17 East Main Street in El Paso, Illinois. The freight depot was used by both the Illinois Central Railroad and the Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad, the two railroads which served El Paso and contributed significantly to the city's history. El Paso was founded in the 1850s by landowners who wished to win a bid for the crossing site of the two railroads. The newly formed city won the crossing the following year, and it soon grew substantially. The freight depot was built in 1889-90 after the original depot was destroyed. The depot sent out agricultural goods from the surrounding farmland and allowed local businesses to ship products and receive supplies, making it a crucial part of the city's economy. Rail transport through El Paso declined starting in the 1930s and ended entirely in the 1960s; the freight depot was the longest-standing building associated with both railroads, though it was eventually removed. The depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 16, 1994, as the Illinois Central Railroad and Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad Freight House. The building was later moved several hundred feet to the southeast and is currently located at 17 East Main Street. Though it is no longer at its original site, it remains on the Register.

Location

8--10 E. Front St.
El Paso, Woodford County, Illinois
40.73798, -89.01562

Categories

TRANSPORTATION
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

El Paso Public Library
Industrial
0.2 mi
Hubbard House
Industrial
9 mi
Gildersleeve House
Industrial
9.2 mi
Benson Water Tower
Industrial
9.5 mi
Duncan Manor
Industrial
12.9 mi

Questions about this property

When was Illinois Central Railroad and Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad Freight House listed on the National Register?

Illinois Central Railroad and Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad Freight House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 15, 1994.

What type of historic resource is Illinois Central Railroad and Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad Freight House?

Illinois Central Railroad and Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad Freight House is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Illinois Central Railroad and Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad Freight House?

The period of significance for Illinois Central Railroad and Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad Freight House is recorded as the industrial era.

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