134 Years of dust has been swept away to bring a piece of Goodhue history back to life. After a two year labor of love, Jeff and Carolyn Ryan are opening The Goodhue Depot on Saturday, August 5th. The newly established business will offer a light menu with espresso and regular coffee choices, a gift shop and seating areas. Business hours will be Saturdays 8 AM-8PM, Sundays 10AM-4PM and M-F 7AM-8PM.
People--and freight such as livestock, grain, farm equipment and locally mined clay--traveled the Chicago Great Western (CGW) rails that laid on each side of the depot building in Goodhue from 1889 until it ceased operations in 1964. The original structure was quite small, offering only a cargo area, ticket office and waiting room. In 1916, the Minnesota Railroad and Warehouse Commission ordered the CGW to provide a separate waiting area for women. This was accomplished with an addition that was created in the center of the structure and included a warming area for the cargo department workers. A small walkthrough area was remodeled into two bathrooms in 1949.
Following the closure of the railway, the property was owned by Lodermeier Implement who used the depot as a repair shop and the surrounding lot to display farm equipment. When Lodermeier’s business moved to the outskirts of town, the city purchased the property. A survey of area residents showed support for a restoration project that would save this remnant of their railroad town roots.
In 2021, Jeff and Carolyn Ryan stepped up and purchased the property and began using their time and talents to turn it into an asset the whole community could enjoy. “It felt like something we were meant to do,” Carolyn said as she described the process and the thought behind making it a gathering spot rather than something where only a few people would benefit.
Jeff described the building as “an old corncrib” covered in layers of board and steel. While thankful for the siding that helped preserve the building, it needed to be removed from the exterior if the depot was to be authentic. While most of the floors had to be replaced, the original woodwork, including windows and wainscoting remain. The wainscot was stripped of layers of old paint, all of the windows have been refinished and one that could not be returned to its original location was transformed into a frame showcasing information and photos of the building’s history. Norris Voth has done all of the wood restoration with Carolyn claiming he’s touched every piece of wood in the building and Jeff saying, “He’s taken so much pride in it, he’s just a gift”.
Voth also refinished the office desks and in that process, signatures and dates were found to be inscribed on the drawers. California resident, Sherri Salmans, a collector of all things Goodhue, heard about the project and returned a drawer that was given to her by the Lodermeiers years ago. The Ryans have high praise for all of the contractors that helped with the restoration process. So many people were instrumental in getting the building to where it is today.
“We used every inch,” Carolyn says when describing the layout and placement of things such as the furnace and water heater. The two restrooms were converted to one with period appropriate tile. Every effort was made to keep and reuse any original features displaced in the restoration including repurposing one of the large sliding cargo doors as part of an exterior wall. Her vision has exceeded expectations over the journey that has included upgrades to the water, sewer and electrical systems, insulation, a new roof and new paint. The exterior colors of the refurbished depot are those of the original structure which identified the building as part of the Chicago Great Western properties. Jeff has done the grounds keeping including planting grass, watering trees and creating a parking area. Outdoor seating is part of the long-range plan.
Old rail carts used for seasonal displays near the front door welcome visitors. Treasures such as bottles, advertising items, pieces of coal and other miscellaneous things were found inside the walls and will be on display inside the shop. A pottery jug was unearthed in one piece when work was being done outside. All of the found items were cleaned and stored by the Ryans for the past two years in anticipation of the depot opening.
The cargo area is now an open kitchen with a unique menu of homemade soups, salads, sandwiches that use locally sourced breads and meats, scooped ice cream and various coffees. Customers will be able to browse and purchase items from local vendors or relax in the now cozy lounge where folks once waited for the train to arrive.
Some thought she was a little crazy for undertaking such a massive project and even Jeff may occasionally agree, but Carolyn says, “We’ve been a team the whole time, working well this entire time. Every step of the way, God’s hand was there. It’s been fun. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
