Historic Northern Pacific Depot in Fargo, North Dakota
Historic rail siteFreeHistoric former station; no museum hours posted, so view from outside unless you confirm access
Fargo's Northern Pacific depot is an 1898 passenger station by the nationally known architect Cass Gilbert, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 for its importance to both transportation and architecture.
- Built in 1898
- Designed by Cass Gilbert
- National Register listing, 1975
- Once had two huge fireplaces
- 701 Main Avenue, downtown Fargo
Historic Northern Pacific Depot at a glance
- Hours
- No museum hours posted; view the exterior
- Admission
- Free to view from outside
- Plan for
- About 15 to 30 minutes
- Best for
- Architecture and rail history fans in downtown Fargo
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Historic Northern Pacific Depot? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Fargo.
Rally Takes the Train
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Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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Cass Gilbert's station on the Red River line
The Northern Pacific came to Fargo when its railway bridge over the Red River was finished in June 1872, and track was laid due west toward Bismarck. A quarter century later the railroad gave the city a passenger station worthy of its growth. The depot was designed by Cass Gilbert, a nationally known architect, and built in 1898, with design and construction work spanning 1897 to 1900 according to the Cass Gilbert Society.
Gilbert followed a classic depot plan: a two-story central section flanked by single-story wings. Inside, travelers found two huge fireplaces and a restaurant, and outside, a park with gardens and a fountain surrounded the building, a story now told on a historical marker at Depot Plaza.
The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 as the Northern Pacific Railway Depot, recognized for its significance to transportation and architecture. It no longer serves as a railway station, and no museum hours are posted online.
What to look for at 701 Main Avenue
Look for Gilbert's layout from the street: the taller two-story center and the lower wings on either side. Find the Depot Plaza historical marker, which tells how the depot was once surrounded by a park with gardens and a fountain. A 1911 postcard in North Dakota State University's Fargo history collection shows the depot from across Front Street, a fun then-and-now comparison.
Don’t miss
- The Depot Plaza historical markerIt tells the story of the depot and the gardens and fountain that once surrounded it.
- Gilbert's central block and wingsThe two-story center with single-story wings is the plan Cass Gilbert used for this station.
A quick architecture stop with kids
This is a short stop rather than a hands-on museum. Kids can spot the tall middle section and the low wings, read the historical marker together, and imagine the two huge fireplaces travelers once warmed up beside. Pair it with Bonanzaville in West Fargo, about 7 miles away, for model trains and more to explore.
Plan your visit: tips for Historic Northern Pacific Depot
- Use 701 Main Avenue for navigation.
- Read the Depot Plaza historical marker for the building's story.
- Look up the 1911 postcard view in NDSU's Fargo history collection before you go for a then-and-now photo.
Remembering the depot's history
The depot's history is kept alive by its National Register listing, the Depot Plaza historical marker, the Cass Gilbert Society's record of the building and North Dakota State University's Fargo history collection. Supporting local history groups, such as the Cass County Historical Society that runs nearby Bonanzaville, helps keep stories like this one told.
Rail history around Fargo
The Bonanzaville railroad collection in West Fargo is about 7 miles away, with a model railroad in its Kathryn Depot. For a road trip, the Northern Pacific Center in Brainerd, Minnesota is about 129 miles away, and the Dacotah Prairie Museum in Aberdeen is about 127 miles. See train museums across North Dakota for more.
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
A station with two huge fireplaces and a restaurant sounds like the coziest place to wait with a suitcase at your feet. In our book, Rally packs his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball before the trip. I can picture families here a century ago doing the same kind of careful packing, then warming their hands while they waited for the train.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
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Work or volunteer at Historic Northern Pacific Depot?
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Fargo's Northern Pacific depot: 20 questions answered
What is the Historic Northern Pacific Depot in Fargo?
It is a former Northern Pacific Railway passenger station in Fargo, North Dakota, built in 1898 and designed by architect Cass Gilbert. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 as the Northern Pacific Railway Depot, recognized for its importance to transportation and architecture.
Where is the Northern Pacific depot in Fargo?
The depot is at 701 Main Avenue in Fargo, North Dakota, according to the Cass Gilbert Society. A historic postcard view from 1911 looks at the depot across Front Street. Use the Main Avenue address in your GPS and look for the Depot Plaza historical marker.
When was the Fargo Northern Pacific depot built?
The passenger depot was built in 1898. The Cass Gilbert Society gives design and construction dates spanning 1897 to 1900, which reflects the full project from drawings to finish. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Who designed the Northern Pacific depot in Fargo?
Cass Gilbert, a nationally known architect, designed the depot. The Cass Gilbert Society keeps a record of the building among his works. His plan used a two-story central portion with single-story wings on each side, a typical railroad depot layout that he adapted for Fargo.
Is the Fargo Northern Pacific depot on the National Register?
Yes. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 under the name Northern Pacific Railway Depot, reference number 75001304. The listing cites its significance in transportation and architecture and its role in the history of railroading in the region.
Is the Fargo Northern Pacific depot still a train station?
No. It is described as a former railway station. Passenger trains no longer board at this building, and no regular museum or visitor hours are posted online, so plan to see it from the outside unless you confirm an event or open day.
Can you go inside the historic Fargo depot?
Interior access is not described online, and no museum hours are posted. Plan on viewing the building's exterior and the Depot Plaza historical marker. If you want to see inside, ask Fargo's visitor center whether the building is open to the public.
What was inside the Fargo Northern Pacific depot?
According to North Dakota State University's Fargo history collection, the depot had two huge fireplaces and a restaurant for travelers. Those features made it a comfortable, welcoming station for passengers waiting on Northern Pacific trains.
What was Depot Plaza in Fargo?
Depot Plaza is the setting described on a historical marker beside the station. The marker says the Cass Gilbert depot, built in 1898, was surrounded by a park with gardens and a fountain. It is worth reading during a visit for the building's backstory.
When did the Northern Pacific reach Fargo?
The Northern Pacific railway bridge across the Red River was completed in June 1872, and tracks were laid due west to Bismarck. The grand passenger depot came later, built in 1898 as the city grew.
How much does it cost to see the Fargo Northern Pacific depot?
It costs nothing to view the depot and the historical marker from public areas. No admission or tours are posted online. If you hear of an open house or event inside the building, check with the organizer about any fees.
Is the Fargo depot worth a stop with kids?
It is a quick, free stop that works best paired with something hands-on. Kids can spot Gilbert's tall center and low wings and hear about the old fireplaces and restaurant. Bonanzaville in West Fargo, about 7 miles away, adds a model railroad and pioneer village.
How long should I spend at the Fargo Northern Pacific depot?
About 15 to 30 minutes is enough to walk around the exterior, read the historical marker and take photos. It fits easily into a downtown Fargo outing, and you can add more rail history with a short drive to Bonanzaville in West Fargo.
Where can I see old photos of the Fargo depot?
North Dakota State University's Fargo history collection includes a real photo postcard from 1911 looking northwest at the depot across Front Street, with a train visible. The Cass Gilbert Society also documents the building. Both are good to browse before a visit.
Is there parking near the Fargo Northern Pacific depot?
No parking details are posted for the depot itself. It is in downtown Fargo at 701 Main Avenue, so use nearby public street or lot parking and check posted signs. Never park on railroad property, and call Fargo's visitor center if you need suggestions for a larger vehicle.
Is the historic Fargo depot wheelchair accessible?
Accessibility details are not posted online, and the interior may not be open to visitors. The exterior and historical marker can be viewed from public sidewalks. Ask Fargo's visitor center for current details if access matters for your plans.
Does the Fargo depot have Christmas train events?
No holiday train events are posted for the historic depot. For holiday outings in the area, check Bonanzaville in West Fargo, which holds Christmas on the Prairie each December, and statewide listings for seasonal train rides.
What architectural style is the Fargo Northern Pacific depot?
The Cass Gilbert Society describes it as based on a typical railroad depot plan, with a two-story central portion and single-story wings on either side. Its National Register listing recognizes its architectural significance as well as its transportation history.
Who preserves the history of the Fargo Northern Pacific depot?
The building's story is kept through its National Register listing, the Depot Plaza historical marker, the Cass Gilbert Society and North Dakota State University's Fargo history collection. Together they document the depot's design, construction and role in the city.
What train museums are near the Fargo Northern Pacific depot?
The Bonanzaville railroad collection in West Fargo is about 7 miles away. The Dacotah Prairie Museum in Aberdeen, South Dakota is about 127 miles, the Northern Pacific Center in Brainerd, Minnesota about 129 miles, and the Kandiyohi County Historical Society in Willmar, Minnesota about 144 miles.
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