Exciting Plans
The KRHCC is in the second phase of a three-phase plan to preserve and present the history of Knife River centered around two of Knife River’s most historic icons – the depot and 35’ fish tug CRUSADER II.
Phase I (2019/20) – Restore depot and adjacent freight building
Phase II (2020/21) – Complete building interiors as needed for programming needs; design shelters for fish tug CRUSADER and picnickers.
Phase III (2022/23) - Build shelters and begin restoring CRUSADER
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The KRHCC site plan current to spring 2021
The site plan brings together the depot, the adjacent freight building, a picnic/event shelter, a shelter for CRUSADER II, and space for a second shelter for historic boats, all with openness and green space.
The KRHCC leases its land from the St. Louis & Lake County Regional Rail Authority, a state authority. Under this lease, the KRHCC makes space available for visitors arriving on the North Shore Scenic Railroad. Plans include a siding to allow trains using the mainline to by-pass one another, and a spur for up to four luxurious B&B business cars from the glory days of railroading.
Site plan courtesy of Krech Ojard & Associates and
SAS + Associates Architects
The Knife River depot as it appeared in 1910. At that time the depot had separate men’s and women’s waiting areas on opposite ends. The waiting areas were later combined and the men’s removed. The restored depot is therefore smaller than the one seen from 1910. Photo: Randy Ellestad
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The depot under early restoration in 2019. While the depot was acknowledged to be a “tear-down,” the Knife River community wanted it restored using as much of the original building as possible. Photo: Todd Lindahl
Knife River Depot as of Fall 2021. The flag pole was donated by the Albert Wieme family of Knife River and serves as the community flag pole. Photo: Paul von Goertz
Photo: Paul von Goertz
Photo: Paul von Goertz
Photo: Randy Ellestad
CRUSADER II has a long commercial fishing heritage to Knife River dating back to 1939. Restoration of the boat will begin in 2022.