March 28, 2024

All aboard!

Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for restored train depot; Diehls honored for preservation work

The restoration of the Osceola train depot isn’t just for today’s passengers – it’s for the enjoyment of everyone in the next 100 years to come.

“Coming into this, I was like, ‘Well, this will be restored and things will look new and nice,’ and (the architect) educated me that sometimes you let the building continue to tell its story and balance that,” said Ty Wheeler, city administrator/clerk. “It was remarkable to see it all come together.”

In historical preservation terms, the depot project isn’t merely coming to an end with its current renovations. It’s just beginning a second life into the building, which will someday lead to a third and fourth life.

Opening ceremony

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the train depot Monday, Aug. 1, and it drew a large crowd from the community.

Former mayor Fred Diehl and his wife, Ann, were also honored at the ceremony because they have spear-headed many efforts in the restoration project.

In August 2015, they were honored with the dedication of the train depot park being named the Fred and Ann Diehl Depot Plaza.

110 years

As for the actual train depot building, it was built in 1907, which means it is approaching 110 years old.

The idea to restore the train depot first began in 1994. In 2009, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. That means there are certain historical guidelines that must be adhered to concerning building preservation.

In more recent years, the train depot has been through a multi-phase restoration effort that totaled $1.5 million. Phase two of the project started in 2011.

Derrick L. James, senior manager/government affairs with Amtrak, was in attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and bestowed a lot of praise on Osceola and its citizens.

“Through all these comings and goings, here sits this sturdy edifice – a sentinel to the strength and power of the railroad and a marker for the permanence of family and community that is Osceola,” James said.

After James said the Osceola train depot was the busiest rail-passenger station in Iowa, a loud applause erupted from the crowd.

“We at Amtrak have marveled at the pluck and tenacity of you Osceolans, because time and changing travel habits may have taken their toll on this depot, but you wouldn’t let her go,” he said.

Official praise

James also gave praise to the Diehls and their tenacity and drive to see the project come to fruition. He mentioned how the couple would join officials at far-away conferences on their own dime.

James was impressed with their passion for sharing the story of the train depot and what it means to the people of Osceola. They wanted to share their vision with everyone they could.

“Your enthusiasm for Osceola and this depot have affected the staff of a sometimes jaded public railroad headquartered in D.C.,” James said.

In honor

Toward the end of the ceremony, Wheeler presented Diehl with a plaque for his 18 years of service as mayor.

Diehl addressed the crowd and thanked everyone who helped him and his wife along the way.

“It’s been very satisfying,” he said.

A train came through the station at that moment, which added to the roar of applause.

“I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to kick it through,” Diehl jokingly added about finishing the project in his term as mayor.

To the next 110

There was a general atmosphere of excitement as people were able to walk through the restored building and see what things changed and what remained the same.

Mayor Thomas Kedley summed it up when he declared the train depot “a testament to Osceola’s storied history and the progress to come in our next century.”