‘All aboard!’ the Aitkin County historical depot museum – Brainerd Dispatch
AITKIN — The Northern Pacific Railway depot in Aitkin was once one of more than a dozen train stops between Staples and Duluth for travelers.
“We are next to the railroad tracks, obviously, and the train still runs by but (a passenger train) hasn’t run here since the ‘60s,” said Roxy Appel Wigton, a volunteer.
The Aitkin County Historical Society now operates the railroad depot at 20 Pacific St. as a unique museum showcasing the county’s heritage.
“This building was built in 1921. And it’s the same way it was when it was built,” said Appel Wigton, vice president and treasurer of the Aitkin County Historical Society.
Contributed / Aitkin County Historical Society
The nonprofit was organized in 1948 with the mission to “collect, preserve and disseminate the historical information and artifacts pertinent to Aitkin County history.”
“On the exterior, you will see what look like little metal spikes on the windowsill. That was so hobos couldn’t crawl into the building. There are also little bars on the base that go all the way around, so they don’t sleep up against the building,” she said. “That’s one of the quirky things.”
Negotiations were started in 1970 for the acquisition of the Burlington Northern Depot for use as a historical museum, according to the society’s website.
“Aitkin County and the Northern Pacific Railroad have a shared history. The village of Aitkin was established in 1871, the same year the railroad was making its way from Duluth,” according to the society.
Contributed / Aitkin County Historical Society
The Aitkin County Historical Society obtained possession of the building on Oct. 19, 1973, and renovated the depot located two blocks south of the stoplight in downtown Aitkin.
The museum houses various displays related to steamboats, railroad, logging, Native Americans, the military, children’s toys, woodworking, agriculture and more.
“In 1975, the Depot Museum opened from June 15th to Sept. 30th. Five hundred sixty-three guests registered during that time … from 15 states, including 50 communities within Minnesota, Canada and Ireland,” according to the society’s website at
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Services and resources offered at the museum include old newspapers; census and naturalization records; photo archives; family biographies; obituary and cemetery records; city, township and village files; school and church records; a gift store; and a bookstore.
“I just dealt with a family that came from Florida and Wisconsin that were looking for their grandparents’ resort on Farm Island Lake,” Appel Wigton said. “I found some old maps, and we were able to get the location and then I drove them out so they could find it. … It’s a lot of fun.”
Gov. Al Quie came to Aitkin on Sept. 4, 1980, to dedicate the Aitkin County Historical Depot Museum, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in December of 1981.
Contributed / Aitkin County Historical Society
The last passenger train to stop in Aitkin was in 1969, according to Appel Wigton.
“I just happened to be here one day when the train actually stopped and the flashing lights were on,” she said of a time recently. The train operator had stopped to walk to the nearby gas station to get coffee. “And then he got back on and the train took off for Duluth,” she said.
FRANK LEE may be reached at 218-855-5863 or at
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