(Historic Redmond Depot | Photo courtesy of City of Redmond)
On September 5 from 4-6pm, the City of Redmond invites the community to attend the grand opening of the newly-renovated historic Redmond Train Depot. The Depot, located at 3716 SW 21st Place, will be home to the Redmond Coffee Company, Chris Richie with Edward Jones Investments and the Greater Redmond Historical Society. The Depot’s lobby will feature photos and mini displays showcasing Redmond’s rich history. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be conducted at 5pm sharp.
Empty since 2012, the Depot was purchased from the City of Redmond by Tanney Staffenson in 2017. The purchase came with stipulations that the Depot retain its historic appearance and remain open to the public. “The renovation of the Depot has been a labor of love as we’ve had the special opportunity to honor the heritage of the Depot and its place in Redmond’s history,” said Staffenson.
The Redmond Coffee Company will operate from 7am to 5pm Monday through Friday and 8am to 3pm during weekends. The Greater Redmond Historical Society will have volunteers on-site Monday through Saturday from 10am to 2pm.
Redmond Train Depot
Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Thursday, September 5, 2019
4-6pm | Ribbon Cutting at 5pm
Speakers Mayor George Endicott & Tanney Staffenson, Redmond Depot Owner
In 1911, the Redmond City Council appropriated $450 for the railroad depot to be constructed of stone instead of the usual wood materials. There was no suitable material in Redmond, volcanic ‘tuff’ stone was loaded onto railcars in Bend and shipped to Redmond where the cars were unloaded by hand. Completed in April 1912, the new depot with its Terrazzo floors, plate glass doors and windows, and three-coat paint job was considered one of the finest depots on the Oregon Trunk rail line.
The depot was placed on the Deschutes County inventory of historic places in 1985. In 1986, Burlington Northern Railroad Company decommissioned the two-employee depot office. Several “save the depot” efforts over the years failed to get off the ground, so the city stepped in, buying the building for $1 with the proviso that it be moved from its site along the tracks between East Antler and Evergreen avenues to make way for the rerouting of U.S. Highway 97 through Redmond.
The 2,600-square-foot depot building was moved to its current location at 3716 SW 21st Place in 2003. The city paid more than $600,000 to have the building dismantled and moved.
ci.redmond.or.us • 541-316-1777 • RedmondORHistoricalSociety@gmail.com
