Missouri certainly boasts a colorful history – literally. Nothing highlights that colorful past better than the Cotton Belt Freight Depot in Missouri. The once-bustling freight depot had long sat abandoned against the St. Louis landscape. However, today it draws curiousity-seekers with its bright facade, fascinating history, and historical status.
The Cotton Belt Freight Depot in St. Louis boasts a long, storied history that begins back in the opening years of the 20th century.
Wikipedia/TheKuLer
Perhaps the most unique building in St. Louis, the Cotton Belt Freight Depot features five floors and spans 750 feet. What makes it even more unique is it has a width of just 30 feet.
Flickr/Don Barrett
From a distance, it’s not hard to mistake the unique building, which opened in 1913, for a wall. The building was constructed by the St. Louis Southwestern Railway.
Flickr/H. Michael Miley
The freight depot remained in service until 1959 before it was left abandoned for decades.
Wikipedia/Tom Nagel
Eventually, the fight began to protect the historic freight depot, which earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
Wikipedia/LittleT889
Today, the colorful building welcomes those who are traveling into St. Louis. The vibrant mural was painted by Nita Turnage and Hap Phillips, both muralists from St. Louis.
Flickr/Paul Sableman
They named their masterpiece, “Migrate,” in honor of the many people and animals that travel past the historic building each day. People often use the mural as a backdrop for photographs for special occasions.
Flickr/Paul Sableman
For more information on the Cotton Belt Freight Depot’s rich history, check out the form that was completed to have the historic building placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Flickr/henskechristine
Have you seen the Cotton Belt Freight Depot in Missouri? Or have you been there? What did you think? Let us know in the comments! For another unique roadside destination, make your way to Boathenge in Columbia.
Wikipedia/TheKuLer
Flickr/Don Barrett
Flickr/H. Michael Miley
Wikipedia/Tom Nagel
Wikipedia/LittleT889
Flickr/Paul Sableman
Flickr/henskechristine
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Address: Cotton Belt Freight Depot, 1400 N 1st St, St. Louis, MO 63102, USA
