Balaton was founded in 1879 as result of the building of the Dakota Central Railroad, a branch of the Chicago and North Western Railway. The village would be incorporated on Nov. 3, 1892. A two-story depot was built in 1879 with J. W. Mosher as the first station agent. Records show that Frank Slaters was agent in 1886. The selection foreman during this time was Charles Breening. In 1893, Jens Knudson moved to Balaton where he completed 17 years of work with the railroad. Frank R. Lowe became the station agent in 1907 and stayed until 1912.

A fire on Christmas afternoon in 1913 burned the depot to the ground along with the living quarters of the new agent, Mr. Mertens. They started planning the new depot in 1914. The new depot was to have two waiting rooms, one for men and one for women. It was to have a freight room, drinking fountains, and steam heat. It was located next to Ed Norris Park. Norris was a former railroad pump station man who worked in this area from 1905 to 1925. In November of 1915, the new depot was ready to open for business with Agent Peterson in charge.

Sept. 27, 1927, was a big day at the Balaton depot. President Calvin Coolidge’s train was passing through town and made a stop in Balaton. The train was stopped in front of the depot where repairs were made. There is no record whether President Coolidge stepped outside the train and took in the southwestern prairie air.

By 1958, mail was no longer arriving by train to the station and passenger train throughout the state and country had declined. On May 16, 1968, the depot was torn down.

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection is the new depot in Balaton that opened in 1915.

The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a nonprofit, member-supported organization. LCHS operates the Lyon County Museum at 301 W Lyon St in Marshall. The Lyon County Museum is open year-round to visitors. To contact us, visit our website: www.lyoncomuseum.org, call: 507-537-6580, email: director@lyoncomuseum.org, or on our Facebook page.