Union Pacific Railroad Depot

Built in 1906

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This is the official starting building for the museum. Come on in, sign the guest book and prepare yourself for a journey in time. 

The Gilliam County Historical Society was formed in 1974. In 1978, Union Pacific Railroad asked the Society's President if the society would be interested in having the old railroad depot in Condon for a museum if the company would be willing to give it to them.  The transfer was made and the depot was moved from across the highway behind Inland Chemical to the Society's newly purchased land where it was planned the Gilliam County Museum would be located. The Museum was officially opened to the public in 1985.

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In the early years, the railroad was a vital transportation component for Gilliam County, as well as the rest of the U.S. Our first railroad to Condon was completed in 1905 for service passengers and freight. It was built by Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company, which was bought out by Union Pacific. 

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This line ran from Arlington to Condon daily with stops in Mikkalo for water for the steam engines and carried cattle, sheep, sacks of wheat, mail and passengers, it also served at least one mine. 

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In 1928, a line was built from Condon to Kinzua, which consisted of a track of 24 miles. This line was called the Condon, Kinzua and Southern. This line carried lumber to Condon where the Northern line would pick up the goods and people and carry them north to Arlington. The Southern line used a different gauge engine and it is currently being used by the Mt. Hood Scenic railroad in Elbe, WA. 

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Daniel Tierney was Condon's first train station agent. In his early years he won a gold medal for operating a perfect station and was also an excellent telegrapher.

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When the building was relocated the front part of the depot was removed due to railroad regulations so the current building is shorter then it was originally. We are told that our front office was the living quarters section for the station agent.