The image above shows the depot in the early 1900's. The image
below shows the same location in Moclips about 100 years later.
Vintage images of the Northern Pacific Depot at Moclips
show the popularity
of the area as a tourist destination in the early 1900's. Literally
THOUSANDS of visitors came by train to this final stop along the
NPRY line on any given day. Aside from walking up the beach, the train was the only way to get to Moclips.
The depot at Moclips measured 40' by 100'. It had a waiting room,
ticket
office and freight room on the ground floor.
Upstairs was a two bedroom apartment for the station master.
A
raised wooden platform existed along the east side
of the building next
to the tracks.
With the production of the automobile and construction of new
roads, the necessity of train travel diminished. By the 1940's,
this once
thriving depot sat abandoned, only being used
by local youth as an indoor basketball
court.
In the 1950's the building was finally demolished.
In the 1960's, this property became the site of a trailer campground.
Still later when the railroad tracks were taken up between Hoquiam and
Moclips, Washington State Parks converted this five acre parcel into
state park land.
The goal of our historical society is to rebuild the depot exactly as
it was in the same location it formerly occupied. This replica of the
NPRY depot from 100 years ago would become
the permanent home of the
Museum
of the North Beach.
Because
of the structure's size, the new museum would have much larger and more complete
displays and a museum store. The museum office, a classroom and production
room would be located upstairs. Community functions and meetings
could be held there with room to spare.
We have established a partnership with the Washington State Parks Commission
to make this park a wonderful attraction
in Moclips, and for the entire North Beach area. With a building
fund already established and an architect waiting in the wings, we
are well on our way to realizing this dream.
If
you would like to be a part of this dream and can either donate
your
time, or provide some financial assistance please contact us
at our website
www.moclipsdepot.org, or call us at the museum (360) 276-4441.
ALL ABOARD!
