Train Depot

The railroad in Jasper has a long and colorful history. Attempts to establish a railroad in Dubois County began just after the Civil War. The first section of track was laid in the county in the early 1870s. Work progressed slowly as land was acquired, cleared, and graded. Finally on Friday, February 14th, 1879, the citizens of Jasper welcomed the arrival of the first train to the community. Local contractors had just finished putting the shingles on the roof of the new depot, a barn-like structure that was located at 2nd and Main Streets. Schoolchildren were dismissed from school to witness the historic event. The local band played “Hail Columbia”. Orations were delivered. The whistle of the train signaled the arrival of the lone passenger, a salesman from Indianapolis.

During the next twenty years, ownership of the railroad and depot changed hands quite often, as companies folded, merged, and were reorganized. Finally, in 1900, ownership of the line was assumed by Southern Railway, a company who would maintain operations for many decades.

Plans for a new depot were soon discussed. Also in the works was a planned extension of the line to French Lick and West Baden. Construction of Jasper’s second depot, adjacent to the original, began in July, 1906, and was finished by the end of the year. The building was 30’ x 87’, and included a large freight room, a business office with ticket counter, and separate waiting rooms for men and women. The following year, train service began running to the recently-completed French Lick depot.

During the subsequent decades, Jasper’s depot was a beehive of activity, as passenger and freight service increased. These glory years were short-lived, however, as personal automobiles became more affordable and trucking overtook rail transportation of goods. Eventually, by 1970, the depot was abandoned and torn down.

Today, nearly one hundred years after Jasper’s Southern Depot opened its doors and trains began carrying passengers between Jasper and the resorts of French Lick and West Baden, history is repeating itself. Guided by ROJAC (Redevelop Old Jasper Action Coalition), a local, not-for-profit organization, a new Jasper Depot has been built, and plans are being developed to reinstitute limited passenger service between Jasper and the Springs Valley resorts. We hope everyone has a chance to pay a visit to the new depot and enjoy a train ride, whether during the Strassenfest, or sometime in the future. ALL ABOARD!