Railroads have played an important part in moving people and goods in the United States since the mid to late 1800s. Now, for the most part, the role of railroads has diminished, leaving behind once used depots, water towers and empty rail track beds.

In northwest Wayne County two rail lines crossed in Humeston. Despite the absence of rails and track beds, Humeston still has the water tower and depot, which are now part of the Humeston Union Depot Museum.

The depot was built so part of it faced the east to west Keokuk to Shenandoah rail line known as the K&W and H&S and the north to south CB&Q Chariton to St. Joseph, Mo., rail line.

“I remember the tracks that went east out of Humeston, but the ones that went west were gone when I was a kid,” Humeston city employee Ted Williams said. “I was in school and I remember the trains coming through.”

Williams and Humeston Mayor Russell White were at the depot Friday afternoon, as they are most other days of the week. City officials decided to locate City Hall in the depot in a room adjacent to the museum to help defray the museum’s operating cost and to have someone there in case of visitors.

Inside the depot are photos, early communications equipment, posters, original artifacts, clothing and a scale model of the town of Humeston depicting the rail lines, trains and buildings.

It took the effort of many people to restore the depot, which at one time was used by Farm Services to store fertilizer and chemicals. The building, which was in poor shape, was reclaimed in the mid to late 1980s and the renovation efforts began.

“Bill Slagg thought it ought to be bought and restored to the original depot,” White said. “And so he went to work on trying to get grants. And it was him that actually carried the ball.”

Slagg, the owner of B&D Automotive in Humeston, said a good friend, Roger Nelson, now deceased, was a real railroad buff and it rubbed off on him. Together they went about applying for grants to save the depot. And items inside the museum have come from various people.

“I’m really proud of it,” Slagg said. “Prairie Trails is one of the best around. But I think we’ve got a pretty neat one for a town this size.”

Humeston saw the last passenger train — with more than 400 people aboard — come through town March 22, 1958. In 1981, freight trains ceased running through Humeston and the tracks were removed.

From all indications, Humeston may have seen the last train but the railroad era lives on at the Humeston Union Depot Museum.

The museum is located at 422 South Eaton Ave. It is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call (641) 877-6841 or visit www.waynecountyiowa.com.