1943 - the opening of the new C.M. St. P.&P. rail station in Austin, Minnesota

 

Consulting Engineer: OTTO KUFILER, New York City. 

Architect: A. B. LAGERSTROM. Chicago. 

Supervisor: W. H. PENFIELD.

 Chief Engineer. C. M. St. P. & P. R. J. !MIDDLETON. 

Assistant Chief Engineer. C. M. St. P. & P. 

This new station, completed in 1943. is exemplary of smart modernization of small stations, for it not only furthers economy of railroad operation and administration, but also advances passenger comfort and increases civic good will by its architectural lines and clean appearance. 

The former old fashioned three-story brick structure was replaced by a completely modern one-story edifice in the latest streamlined trend. Design of the long, low building contemplates and provides for a postwar addition of a second floor. The new building occupies approximately the same site as its predecessor. It is situated between the tracks and a well-planned convenient motor parking area, set off with walks and lawns retained by neat curbing. 

The station building itself is long and narrow, and extends along the tracks for 134'; it has an over-all width of about 35'. A 6' canopy extends from the building over the track platform. and goes around the end of the building to the town side. where it broadens and projects out over the main entrance. At this point there is a wide concrete platform for loading and unloading passengers from motor vehicles. The canopy bears on its edge in large, prominent cut-out letters. the words. "The Milwaukee Road". The roof is flat over the building. One outstanding exterior feature of the station is its rather square bay with sectional steel sash and glass window construction which forms the exterior walls of the Women's Lounge. and projects toward the street to the line of the main entrance platform. 

INTERIOR. The station building provides For a combined Ticket and Freight Office, a Waiting Room, Men's Toilet, Women's Lounge and Toilet. Baggage Room, and Express Office and Storage Room. The ticket and freight offices are combined into one, permitting the agent to discharge both passenger and freight duties from the same office. A counter at one end of the office serves patrons who come into the public area from the street. At the opposite end, an-other counter with glass partitions opens onto the Waiting Room. 

The Waiting Room is an ample and comfortably appointed area with leather-upholstered settees grouped pleasingly about. The Waiting Room floor is asphalt tile in two tones, laid in a harmonious pattern. The walls are plaster with dark-toned wainscot to ticket counter level. The ceiling, arched at either end of the station. is of a wall-board construction with moulding covering the joints. At both ends of the Waiting Room, large murals portray seasonal, pastoral, and industrial scenes appropriate to the vicinity. The Women's Lounge, off the Waiting Room. has a glass brick vestibule which shields its entrance, at the same time admitting light to the Waiting Room from the exterior windowed wall of the lounge. At the end opposite the Ticket Counter, patrons of the Road will find. partly recessed into the Waiting Room wall beneath the clock 8 convenient Parcel Checking Lockers Finished to harmonize with the decorative theme. Lighting is furnished by fluorescent fixtures close to the ceiling and at other points of vantage.

This station epitomizes economy of administration, for freight and passenger duties can he handled from one office with all public areas in full view from the office of all times. With its up-to-the-minute facilities and ingenious use of today's methods and materials. it serves a definite civic purpose for Austin. But more important, the patrons of the Milwaukee Road are more comfortably served. 

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