“Santa Fe Depots: Form and Function,” presented by Bob Walz
85th Annual Meeting of the Members of the Franklin County Historical Society
Recording Available
Update: In deference to our Chiefs fans, we are moving our program to February 6, 2022, 2 p.m.
What exactly is a depot and what is it for? Using images of depots along the Eastern and Western Lines of the AT&SF Railroad, Bob Walz will examine the history of the development of Santa Fe depots, from repurposed boxcars to large, ornate depots and everything in between. Walz’s presentation will explore the architectural influences in early wood-frame depots, the “system standard depots” developed by the Santa Fe, and the non-standard depots that were built by railroad lines the Santa Fe acquired over time.
Bob Walz joined the Santa Fe Modeler’s Organization in 1984 and is now a Regular Life Member of the Santa Fe Railway Historical and Modeling Society, as well as one of the directors. As his interest in the Santa Fe grew, he found that he was interested in all eras, so he began he began building a layout, set in Western Kansas, that covers the years 1925 to 1995. Walz has written several books on the history of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad and its depots. His latest book, Santa Fe’s Eastern Division: Where It All Began, was published this year.
The January 30 program will be offered through Zoom and Facebook Live. Beginning at 2 p.m., FCHS will offer a short welcome, which will be followed by Walz’s presentation, “Santa Fe Depots: Form and Function.” No registration is required to watch the meeting via the Facebook at https://facebook.com/olddepotmuseum. The program is free and open to the public.
Image: The AT&SF depot at Princeton, Kansas, in 1910. The depot was built in 1904.
