Rock Island Depot - Enid, OK
Posted by: 
hamquilter
N 36° 23.417 W 097° 52.670
14S E 600639 N 4027822
The Rock Island Depot has an eclectic style, showing both Spanish and Italian influence.
Waymark Code: WMDREQ
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 02/18/2012
Views: 8
The CRI&P (Chicago, Rock island & Pacific Railroad) depot is located on East Owen K. Garriott Road on the southeast side of the Enid downtown area. Its address varies depending on the source - shown as 200, 125 and 300 E. Garriott.
At the time of our visit in mid-November, the building was vacant. A "Farmers Market" sign is still attached to the building, and it was operated on Saturdays as a farmer's market in the summer of 2011.
The original 1903 depot is gone; this depot was constructed in 1928. It is 195 feet long (north/south) and approximately 26 feet wide. The lower section of the walls is brick, with the upper stuccoed. The stucco is painted white, with tan painted trim. The center section of the depot has a gabled roof with semi-circular walls extending above the roof line on either end. The large central window is arched, and the other windows have an arch-design in the stucco.
Railroads were extremely active in the Enid area before and after Statehood. Enid was a center for agriculture and grain production, and the railroads transported the grain to markets on the Texas Gulf Coast and major U.S. markets. The railroad crossed the Cherokee Outlet region even before the Land Runs of 1889 and 1893.
This depot has eight large rooms inside, which included separate black and white waiting and baggage areas, ticket counters and covered concourse. Seven smaller rooms were for storage and restrooms.
It is certainly hoped that this depot can be restored and returned to its original beauty.
Is the station/depot currently used for railroad purposes?: No
Is the station/depot open to the public?: No
If the station/depot is not being used for railroad purposes, what is it currently used for?:
Current vacant - perhaps used as farmer's market in season.
What rail lines does/did the station/depot serve?: CRI&P
Station/Depot Web Site: Not listed
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