1874 Lisle Depot

Built 1874. Original location: present-day BNSF Lisle Station. Primary use: train station, post office, apartment. Our community developed around the Lisle Depot: availability of service for people and materials helped set the stage for present day Lisle. After Lisle’s first 1863 depot building was destroyed by fire, this historic structure served as the train station on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy (Burlington) Railroad between Chicago and Aurora from 1874 until 1978. It housed Lisle’s United States Post Office from 1874 to 1885, and for some time, a Railway Express office was located in this building. The building was complimented by an outdoor outhouse, cistern, and water well complete with pump. Although the original tin roof was replaced in 1982, much of the original architectural style and interior structure has been preserved. The railroad usage portion of the building includes a ticket office, waiting room and baggage area. For decades, the building served as living quarters for the stationmaster and family. The south end contains a living room, kitchen, and pantry on the first floor. Upstairs are two bedrooms and a storage area to complete the family apartment. The railroad sparked the development of businesses and commerce. Lisle settlement became a major source of dairy and agriculture for the region. By 1912, Lisle was the largest milk stop along the Burlington and passenger travel was becoming increasingly popular. In 1978 the Burlington Northern Railroad donated it for use as a museum to make way for a modern, more practical train station. Volunteers spearheaded a large portion of the exhibit development and renovation tasks to restore it back to its 19th century appearance.