About Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Passenger Depot-Pella
Railway Stations, Industrial Facilities, Interesting Places
The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Passenger Depot-Pella, also known as the Pella Depot and the Rolscreen Museum, is an historic building located in Pella, Iowa, United States. The Des Moines Valley Railroad built the first tracks through the area in 1865, and they built a simple frame depot to serve passenger's needs. For ten years Pella was the only rail stop in Marion County. The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad leased the Des Moines Valley's tracks beginning in 1878 and provided service through 1980. This single story, brick depot that was a typical design used by the railroad, replaced the old frame building in 1906. It served as a passenger station until 1973. After the Rock Island Line sought bankruptcy protection the depot's existence was uncertain. The Pella Corporation, whose headquarters are adjacent, acquired the property and converted the depot into a company museum. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
