Sandpoint Train Depot Letters of Support: Number Five

Due to the overwhelming support from the community regarding the historic Sandpoint Depot, I have decided to post several letters that were written in support of our efforts to preserve the station and the Amtrak stop in the core of Downtown Sandpoint. These letters were sent before the recent City Council vote and will be posted individually without signature. If you discover your letter has been posted here and would like your signature included, just let me know.

Letter Number Five:

As an Architect with deep passion for Historic Preservation of our cultural resources and a current member of the Historic Preservation Commission, I hereby forward my unwavering support for the Preservation of Sandpoint’s Historic Train Depot. As an Architect I would like to list the Historical significance of our 1916 Train Depot:

1. The oldest surviving passenger rail station on the former Northern Pacific Railway.
2. While many Train Depots are carbon copy designs, the Sandpoint Depot is the only Rail Station featuring a late Gothic & Jacobethan Vernacular design.
3. Given Historical designation in 1973 with it’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places (currently only 1 of 13 buildings listed in all of Bonner County).
4. It represents a place in time, when rail travel was THE link between our small town & destinations far removed from other modes of transportation.
5. While in much need of refurbishing, the general overall condition of the structure is such that Preservation of the building to the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Preservation are readily achievable and desirable for maintaining the integrity of the Depot.

As a member of the Historic Preservation Commission I would like to list the importance of Historic Preservation of our 1916 Train Depot:

1. Any building of this age, with it’s historical background, with it’s service to the community, with it’s architectural design uniqueness should, no, needs to be preserved for future generations to use, enjoy & embrace for the times that have since long gone by.
2. It will always serve as a link between Downtown, the Waterfront & future recreational opportunities that the bypass & creative land-planners will provide.
3. The opportunities for the Depot’s future uses will be a benefit to the citizens of Sandpoint.
4. Much like the Panida Theatre, the Depot’s fate will bring passion & new sense of urgency to the Historic Preservation movement that needs to be recognized in our community.
5. Simply put, SANDPOINT NEEDS THIS BUILDING…..it will be the closest, most visible building image adjacent to the new byway for all to see and I personally can’t think of a better building to represent Sandpoint’s “gateway” image.

As a Citizen of Sandpoint I would like to say one thing about the importance of our Historical Train depot: The thought of losing another piece of history from our small town, when it’s not out of your hands to insure we don’t, would be a travesty. I’m sure this is an issue you and council members will not want your legacy’s to be known for.

Thank-you in advance for your support of Sandpoint’s Historic Train Depot & here’s to the future!