| The southeast and northeast walls of the 1897 MILW depot at Elkhart Lake, WI, on 30 May '20. This view illustrates the proximity of the new depot to the original 1871 M&N depot. The Elkhart Lake Historical Society was formed in 1870 with the goal of preserving the new depot. They purchased it from the MILW for $5,000, spruced it up, and turned it into a museum for local history. Some references state that the original depot was built in 1870, others say 1872; it was most likely built in 1871, when the rails were laid. It is currently home to Off the Rail, a café at 44 W. Gottfried St., Elkhart Lake, WI. Some references state that the depot was moved to that spot for use by the feed mill after the 1897 depot was completed. The former Elkhart Lake Feed Mill, 44 Gottfried (Godfried) St., Elkhart Lake, WI, stands beyond the original depot. I haven't learned when the feed mill was built, but it dates to at least 1906, the year the Farmers’ Mercantile and Supply Co. was organized. This portion of the former M&N, later MILW, main line is currently operated by the WSOR. |