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1853 Depot

260 Dixie Rd, McLean, IL 61754
Phone:

East < GO > West

The 1853 GM&O, Alton Route railroad depot is now located across the road from the Dixie Truck Stop at Dixie Rd & East St. The rare wooden depot is the oldest building in McLean. It had apparently fallen into some disrepair before the Village of McLean purchased it. It's looking pretty good now.

GPS: 40.312082, -89.169339

There are couple of cool little track maintenance/inspection cars parked in the shade and picnic table next to the depot.

The Interpretive Statue salutes the Dixie Truckers Home across the road from the depot. The depot sign was donated by the Ralph R. Hafley & Family according to a plaque at the sign base.

A new McLean Route 66 Monument sign has been installed next to the depot.

The Wayside Exhibit is titled "A Home on the Road" and features the Dixie Truckers Home truck stop across the street. It also tells us that the depot is the oldest building in town.

I stumbled across a 1919 article in the Pantograph newspaper (Bloomington) that tells a the story of an incident at the depot ...

" It is about Terry Brady, now deceased, one of the best known characters of the town in former years. Terry had the reputation of being a drinker of no small ability. One day when a barrel of whiskey stood upon the floor of the little depot, Terry sensed an opportunity of great opportunity. Procuring an auger he crawled under the depot, bored thru the floor and the lower end of the barrel, and drained the barrel of its spirituous contents."

I'm not sure I believe that story to be exactly factual, and it does seem like a lot of work for a drink, but it is entertaining.

Photo(s): 2015, 2023