Lewis County Historical Society and Museum

The depot has been known under several names and monikers over its lifetime, including early titles such as the Chehalis Depot, Chehalis Train Depot, and the Chehalis Union Depot.{{cite news |title=Shorter Freight Hours |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1918/06-21/page-15 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=June 21, 1918 |page=7}} The building was often named under the railroad company that operated the station, such as the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot,{{cite news |author1=The Chronicle staff |title=Museums feature military and motorcycles |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2005/04-29/page-68 |access-date=March 31, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=April 29, 2005 |page=34}} which was also the moniker of the first official station in the city.{{cite news |title=Facts About Lewis County - Chehalis |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee/1897/03-19/page-3 |access-date=March 31, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee |date=March 19, 1897 |page=3}} Locally the depot was simply referred to as the Chehalis railway station{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Pat |title=Exhibit to focus on county's legal (and not so legal) past |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2003/11-08/page-27 |access-date=March 31, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=November 8, 2003 |pages=D1, D4}} or as the Chehalis railroad depot.

The National Register of Historic Places nomination form refers to the site as the Chehalis Passenger Station and for a brief time after the depot was dedicated as the Lewis County Historical Museum in 1979, was given the moniker, Front Way Depot.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Pat |title=They did it - they got their museum! |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2006/01-26/page-2 |access-date=April 7, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=January 26, 2006 |page=A2}}

{{split section|Chehalis station (1890)|date=April 2025}}

A Northern Pacific Railway (NPR) bridge was completed at Pumphrey's Landing over the Cowlitz River by the fall of 1872, allowing the construction of a fully connected line between the Columbia River and Puget Sound areas. The portion of the NPR line through Chehalis, then known as Saundersville, was completed shortly thereafter.{{sfn|Crowell|2007|p=53, 57}} Land for a Chehalis depot was requested by Northern Pacific, but landowner Eliza Barrett Saunders, known as the matriarch of the city, refused to donate a portion of her claim.{{sfn|McDonald Zander|2011|p=21}} Barrett increased the price of the parcel and the company opted for a newly platted site at Newaukum Hill, in the town eventually known as Newaukum.{{sfn|Crowell|2007|p=53, 57}} The train tracks between the two communities amounted to a continuous wooden trestle spanning over wetlands though treks for farmers and travelers in the area was still difficult due to the terrain.{{cite news |last1=Dickason |first1=Glen |title=Public spirit shines in history of Chehalis depot |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1977/09-03/page-19 |access-date=March 25, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=September 3, 1977 |pages=W1, W3}}

Despite the failure to have a depot immediately constructed in the town, Chehalis began earnestly requesting a train station in 1872 with an undaunted approach. A unanimous petition requesting a depot was signed by residents and hand delivered by prominent Chehalis businessmen Lewis A. Davis of Claquato, J.A. Long,{{efn|Long's initials are also recorded as "J.H.". He was a senator, representing Chehalis in the state legislature.}} and William West to the manager of the NPR line, John W. Sprague, who was residing in Kalama. Though Sprague denied the request, he sent the petition to NPR's headquarters and allowed the returning train to drop off the three representatives in Chehalis rather than in Newaukum.

Two stories exist as to the beginnings of a train stop in Chehalis. A local pioneer, John Alexander of Lintott-Alexander Park, offered a $20 gold coin to a conductor in exchange for a freight delivery directly to Chehalis.{{sfn|Crowell|2007|p=57}} A separate story posits that an initiative led by businessmen and residents in the city began flagging down trains with regularity, an option at the time but unknown to the community. The flagging efforts began after a Chehalis man mentioned that trains were required to stop after being flagged.{{efn|The name of the man who suggested the flag stop theory remains unknown; the man's name is not mentioned by the committee of Davis, Long, and West, who supposedly heard the stranger speak.}} Flaggers were chosen and specifically used red bunting, holding shifts throughout the day to signal the trains to stop. This numerous constancy led to a regular train stop in Saundersville in 1874. In a continuing competition for the rail company's favor with local and regional communities, such as Claquato and South Bend, the city donated land to NPR for a promised railway turntable; the wheelhouse was never built.{{sfn|Crowell|2007|p=57}}

Chehalis experienced growth and economic success quickly, recording monthly receipts by October 1885 totaling $2,020 with over {{convert|930,000|lb|kg}} in combined freight activity.{{cite news |title=Early Days In Chehalis |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1927/11-11/page-8 |access-date=April 2, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |publisher=Lewis County Bee |date=November 11, 1927 |page=4}}

Barrett eventually sold her landholdings near the tracks and Northern Pacific constructed a wood, "regulation depot" in 1890 in a pork processing warehouse. The structure was owned by West and fellow prominent Chehalin,{{efn|The term, "Chehalin", is a common nickname for residents in Chehalis.}} John Dobson of John Dobson Park. A grain warehouse was built later, using funds gathered from company stock offered at $10 per share.{{cite news |author1=Andy Skinner |author2=Heather Baird |title=Today in Lewis County History: Chehalis Depot |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/today-in-lewis-county-history-chehalis-depot,88345? |access-date=February 26, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=January 23, 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Pat |title=Red flags help bring depot to Chehalis |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/red-flags-help-bring-depot-to-chehalis,225379? |access-date=February 26, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=January 12, 2006}} Difficulties over the right-of-way remained into August 1890 as the railroad required several hundred feet of access on both sides of the tracks. Parcels were owned by numerous other people, which included large homes that needed to be moved. Estimates to complete the acquisitions reached as high as $25,000.{{cite news |title=State News - 4th column |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/olympia/olympia-washington-standard/1890/08-01/page-2 |access-date=April 1, 2025 |work=Washington Standard |date=August 4, 1890 |page=2}} Union Pacific built an extension of their line to the new station beginning in 1891.{{cite news |title=The Union Pacific Extension |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/seattle/seattle-post-intelligencer/1891/03-10/page-2 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=The Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=March 10, 1891 |page=2}}

File:Northern Pacific Freight Station, Chehalis 01.jpg

Northern Pacific proposed the construction of a new station in 1897. The plans called for a {{convert|32|x|132|ft|abbr=on}} one-story building south of the railroad crossing on Market Street containing an alcove, two waiting rooms, office spaces, and passenger and freight areas. Reports from other Washington communities warned Chehalis residents that the promise was more than likely to fail; despite procurement of materials and laborers, no new depot was built.{{cite news |title=Chehalis' New Depot |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee/1897/06-18/page-1 |access-date=March 6, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=June 18, 1897 |page=1}}{{cite news |title=Untitled - 1st column |url=https://washingtondigitalnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=YAKIHER18970408.1.2 |access-date=March 6, 2025 |work=The Yakima Herald |date=April 8, 1897 |page=2}} The station was partially rebuilt beginning in mid-1897, finalized by September.{{cite news |title=Northwest Brevities |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/idaho/lewiston/lewiston-teller/1897/07-02/page-6 |access-date=April 1, 2025 |work=The Lewiston Teller (Lewiston, Idaho) |date=July 2, 1897 |page=6}}{{cite news |title=Untitled - 2nd column |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee/1897/09-17/page-3 |access-date=April 1, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee |date=September 17, 1897 |page=3}}

File:Burlington Northern Railroad Depot (Chehalis, Washington) 03.jpg

Due to injury concerns, the city attorney in February 1904 declared the train platform a "menace" and demanded the area be tiled.{{cite news |title=Work Completed |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1904/02-05/page-1 |access-date=April 1, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=February 5, 1904 |page=1}} The issue was addressed the following month; the platform was lowered with a {{convert|200|foot|abbr=off}} extension on the south end of the site.{{cite news |title=Untitled - 4th column |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1904/03-18/page-19 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=March 18, 1904 |page=10}} The project was expanded to include an enlargement of the building by {{convert|50|ft|m|1}} on the south end, which included a larger baggage area. Additionally, the floors were lowered, as were all doors and windows, and a more convenient bay window ticket booth was installed. The known problem on the platform, which caused repeated falls off the raised area and was known simply as "the ditch", was boxed in.{{cite news |title=Chehalis' New Depot |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1904/03-25/page-1 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=March 25, 1904 |page=1}} A city-wide paving of streets project begun in late 1907 led to the installation of cement sidewalks at the depot.{{cite news |title=Preparations Being Made For More Street Paving |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1907/11-15/page-1 |access-date=April 1, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=November 15, 1907 |page=1}}

The station contained a Western Union telegraph office, a common means of communication of the time. Also common, NPR and Western Union delivered free messages and express mail under the Northern Express Company to the city's residents through means of hand delivery. The practice, considered a "poor one" and often employed a young boy, was meant to keep costs down for residents, though at the expense of a salaried position and deferred costs to residents via gratuity to the delivery person.{{cite news |title=Free Delivery Of Express |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1908/01-31/page-17 |access-date=April 1, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=January 31, 1908 |page=1}} Due to the advent of a nine-hour workday, railroad financial cutbacks, and the increase in the use of the telephone, the depot's reliance on telegraphy began to wane in 1908, with the station no longer accepting messages transmitted during the evening hours.{{cite news |title=Inauguration and Presidents Day - No Night Telegraph Operator at Depot Celebrated in 1933 |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/inauguration-and-presidents-day-celebrated-in-1933,202499? |access-date=March 5, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=March 4, 2008}}

The population in Chehalis nearly tripled from 2,300 to 6,500 residents during the original station's lifetime. By 1907, economic success for the town was noted as the depot provided approximately $500,000 in business to Chehalis. The station generated the largest railroad revenue between Portland and Tacoma. However, local residents and officials had long felt the depot was too small, citing a narrow and dangerous platform and freight and passenger rooms much too small.

In 1908, the Chehalis Bee-Nugget newspaper declared the depot a "dump";{{cite news |title=Fix the Dumpy Depot in 1908 |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/fix-the-dumpy-depot-in-1908,203539? |access-date=February 26, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=January 29, 2008}} another editorial mentioned the location "inadequate" and "too small to accommodate" the growing freight and passenger traffic.{{cite news |title=Untitled - 2nd column |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1907/07-19/page-14 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=July 19, 1907 |page=13}} A proposal to replace the depot with a brick passenger station was announced in August 1909 by Northern Pacific.{{cite news |title=New Depot Announced Again |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/oregon/portland/portland-morning-oregonian/1909/08-07/page-6 |access-date=March 6, 2025 |work=The Morning Oregonian |date=August 7, 1909 |page=6}} Pressure for a new station continued with complaints citing the muddy walkways and water intrusions.{{cite news |title=Untitled - 2nd column |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1908/12-11/page-33 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=December 4, 1908 |page=33}}

By January 1911, the grounds were in a state of disrepair. A large, "unsightly and unsanitary" mudhole north of the station was stated as "disgraceful", causing locals to use "profane language" while traversing through the business core, covering the district in mud as it was spread.{{cite news |title=City Council Would Like To See The Depot Grounds Kept Better |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1911/01-27/page-2 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=January 27, 1911 |page=1}} The original depot was lambasted throughout the year in the local press for its appearance and lack of facility, considering it "just as bad" as the station in Centralia.{{efn|The 19th century stations in Centralia and Chehalis were known as the "Twin Depots".{{sfn|Crowell|2007|p=57}}}} The editors of the Centralia Weekly Chronicle wrote on April 28, 1911 that they hoped by a "lucky combination of flames" coupled with a fire department waylaid by an accident, that the train would suffer a final, necessary end. On May 2nd, the Northern Railroad Depot caught fire. Despite a fire horse that bolted, the crew put out the flames despite the wishes of the local press.{{cite news |title=Nonsense Versus Horse-Sense Saves Chehalis Depot |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-weekly-chronicle/1911/05-03/page-6 |access-date=April 2, 2025 |work=The Centralia Weekly Chronicle |date=May 3, 1911 |page=1}}

A new station to be constructed by Northern Pacific was announced again in September 1911.{{cite news |title=Looking For A New Depot |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1911/09-07/page-12 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=September 7, 1911 |page=2}} A part of the old station was moved on the morning of June 18, 1912{{efn|Later sourcing of the event mentions the move of the original station occurring on September 27, 1912 after the new depot was built.}} by flatcar to adjoin the new facilities as a freight room.{{cite news |title=Moving Depot Novel Feature |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1912/06-20/page-1 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=June 20, 1912 |page=1}} The rail company continued to use the remaining sections of the old station as part of its stockyard, moving the facility a block south in January 1919. A local Carnation Milk plant began using the location to store fuel.{{cite news |title=Industry And Improvement |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/idaho/bonners-ferry/bonners-ferry-herald/1919/01-14/page-2 |access-date=March 12, 2025 |work=Bonners Ferry Herald (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) |date=January 14, 1919 |page=2}} The freight room, being the last remnant of the original depot, was demolished in 1964 under orders from the structure's owner at the time,Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. The {{convert|122|foot|abbr=off}} addition was considered too large to maintain, out of date, and contained amenities, such as bathrooms, that were not needed. A smaller freight office replacement was built across the street.{{cite news |title=Chehalis Depot Gets 'Compact Look |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1964/03-30/page-10 |access-date=April 7, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=March 30, 1964 |page=10}}

The depot welcomed President Benjamin Harrison on May 6, 1891 during a train stop visit in western Washington. Chehalis was his first stop and though cold and raining, a crowd gathered and reportedly "cheered lustily" for the president.{{cite news |title=In A Cold Rain |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87060190/1891-05-07/ed-1/seq-1 |access-date=February 26, 2025 |work=The Evening Bulletin |date=May 7, 1891 |page=1}}

File:McKinley Stump 02.jpg

On May 22, 1903, approximately 10,000 Chehalins welcomed President Theodore Roosevelt at the depot when he stopped to give a prepared speech upon the McKinley Stump located next to the station.{{sfn|McDonald Zander|2011|p=33}} Roosevelt thanked the community, especially for its support during the Spanish-American War, and mentioned that if people in the crowd did not consider themselves expansionists, he wanted to "know what was the matter with you". He expressed gratitude for the region's economy, particularly in agriculture, mining, and timber, and congratulated parents on having a wonderful "crop of children".{{cite news |title=Praises "Crop Of Children" |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/maryland/baltimore/baltimore-sun/1903/05-23/page-1 |access-date=April 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=May 23, 1903 |page=1}} The 15-minute scheduled speech lasted for 23 minutes despite several reminders to Roosevelt that his speech was running long. The speech included advice to children that when they play, to "play hard" but "when you work, don't play at all". He also had words of admiration for those who employed in hard work and a distaste for those who did not. His parting words were directed towards children from the Washington state reform school, reminding them to "be good".{{cite news |title=Our President |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1903/05-29/page-1 |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=May 29, 1903 |page=1}}

On August 22, 1903, the depot, after being notified by a messenger, immediately sent flatcars to the site of a train crash {{convert|2|mi}} south near Newaukum. The crash occurred after a boiler exploded on a Northern Pacific engine that was pulling 7 coaches full of Elks members. A passenger car next to the tender came loose, leaving the tracks and falling down a {{convert|30|foot|abbr=off}} embankment, crushing itself against a tree stump. Several passengers were killed and early reports mentioned between 30 to 100 were injured.{{cite news |title=Boiler Explodes And Elks' Train Wrecked |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85042400/1903-08-23/ed-1/seq-1 |access-date=February 26, 2025 |work=The Morning Astorian |date=August 23, 1903 |page=1}}{{cite news |title=Elks' Train Wrecked |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85049554/1903-08-22/ed-1/seq-1 |access-date=February 26, 2025 |work=Evening Times-Republican |date=August 22, 1903 |page=1}}

During an exterior paint project in October 1909, passengers became irate, using "lurid" language when "lurid" red paint became smeared on clothing. Since no sign was posted stating the paint was still wet, depot visitors who leaned or brushed against the building became covered in the substance. A man, who reportedly cursed vehemently, was told by a worker at the station to simply not rest against the building.{{cite news |title=Lurid Paint and Lurid Language |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1909/10-29/page-9 |access-date=April 1, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=October 29, 1909 |page=2}}{{efn|During the red paint debacle of 1909, men were reported to have said, "— — — — railroad company — — ** * **!!"}}

A fire began in the depot when the telephone switchboard repeatedly sparked during a strong snowstorm in January 1912. The young women managing the system were reported to be in a "continual state of fright" due to the sparks.{{cite news |title=Heavy Snow Breaks Down Wires; Many Short Circuits |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-weekly-chronicle/1912/01-09/page-5 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=The Centralia Weekly Chronicle |date=January 9, 1912 |page=5}}

Deaths at the station included Claude Wiley, who died after suffering amputations after falling off the snow-covered platform while boarding a train in January 1904.{{cite news |title='Neath The Cars |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1904/01-22/page-6 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=January 22, 1904 |page=2}}

File:Burlington Northern Railroad Depot (Chehalis, Washington) 01.jpg

In January 1912, Northern Pacific announced official plans to build a new station located immediately south of the old depot. The new facility was to include modern amenities and be of a size appropriate to the growing city. Skepticism by residents, wary of Northern Pacific's intentions, delayed construction, but the railroad company released early plans which showcased a layout that contained a men's smoking room and a "retiring room" for women, as well as various offices for telegraph, ticketing, and trainmen operations. The waiting area was to have a domed ceiling and double settees. Initial concepts regarding materials to be used in the build included brick, concrete, and stone, with a slate roof. The depot was planned to be "fireproof, or nearly so" with passenger waiting areas styled with enameled brick.

The build of the Northern Pacific Depot was publicly announced on April 4, 1912. An area for a small park was developed at the old depot site and the streets outside the building were to be constructed with brick.{{cite news |title=For New Park Around Depot |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1912/08-29/page-1 |access-date=April 2, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=August 22, 1912 |page=1}} After a portion of the old station was relocated to the site in June 1912, construction was deemed to be moving at a rapid pace, with no changes in plan, and in "record time".{{cite news |title=No Change In Station Plan |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1912/06-20/page-1 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=June 20, 1912 |page=1}} The depot was completed in the late summer of 1912 with finished carpentry details in September; the pour of a concrete platform was also completed. The freight and telegraph offices were moved from the old station during the final phase of construction.{{cite news |title=Chehalis Depot Nearly Ready |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/oregon/portland/portland-morning-oregonian/1912/09-19/page-5 |access-date=March 6, 2025 |work=The Morning Oregonian |date=September 19, 1912 |page=5}}{{cite news |title=Move Freight And Express Offices To New Rooms Monday |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1912/09-19/page-4 |access-date=March 11, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=September 19, 1912 |page=3}} The final cost of the Chehalis depot was reported as $30,000.

File:Northern Pacific Depot, Chehalis 01.jpg

An official dedication ceremony was held on January 23, 1913. Hosted by William West, a banquet crowd of 200 people were joined by several prominent railroad officials.{{sfn|Crowell|2007|p=58}} The structure was immediately of use to other rail companies.{{cite news |title=First Trust And First Depot |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1913/01-30/page-1 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=January 30, 1913 |pages=1, 3}} By 1914, the station and rail tracks accommodated a weekly average of 17 freight and 44 passenger trains. An early taxi service by buggy led from the depot to the Hotel Savoy, known previously as the Tynan Opera House built and owned by Eliza Barrett.{{sfn|McDonald Zander|2011|p=59}}

A competing depot under the Puget Sound & Willapa Harbor Railway Company (PSWHR) was announced in June 1914. The new station was to be situated nearly across the Northern Pacific Depot between Gertrude and West Streets on State Avenue. Proposed to contain separate stations for freight and passengers, the passenger depot was to be styled in Bungalow architecture, matching a PSWHR station that was concurrently planned in Centralia.{{cite news |title=Railroad Work Being Rushed |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1914/06-12/page-16 |access-date=March 11, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=June 12, 1914 |page=1}}{{cite news |title=Bungalow Plan For New Depot |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1913/09-05/page-15 |access-date=March 11, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=July 10, 1914 |page=3}}

File:Burlington Northern Railroad Depot (Chehalis, Washington) 04.jpg

While the depot was operational, the station was utilized by several prominent railroad companies. Railway corporations included the structure's original builder, Northern Pacific, as well as Great Northern Railway, which leased space at the depot for a time. Other companies with operations at the depot were Oregon-Washington Railroad & Navigation Company and Union Pacific Railroad, which provided Chehalis and surrounding agriculture and timber economies access to its connections to San Francisco.

In order to make the heating system of the depot more efficient, steam pipes were insulated in {{convert|30|in|cm|adj=on|abbr=on}} drain tile under the freight section in 1925.{{cite news |title=Improvements At Depot |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1925/10-16/page-3 |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=October 16, 1925 |page=1}} A general remodeling, mostly involving "rekalsomined" painting of the interior as well as some exterior details such as benches, took place in 1930.{{cite news |title=Untitled - 2nd column |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1930/04-18/page-11 |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=April 18, 1930 |page=4}}

A small fire in August 1914 occurred in the late evening hours and was spotted by a passerby. Though the structure weas filled with smoke, minimal damage was reported. A cigar, discarded in a sawdust pile, was found to be the source.{{cite news |title=Business Locals - 2nd column |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1914/08-07/page-37 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=August 7, 1914 |page=11}} For a second time, Teddy Roosevelt stopped briefly in Chehalis at the depot on July 19, 1915, greeted by a small group of people during an unpublicized trip.{{cite news |title=Teddy Smile In Chehalis |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle-examiner/1915/07-20/page-6 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle-Examiner |date=July 20, 1915 |page=6}}

After a chase, a San Francisco-bound train carrying narcotics was stopped at the depot in July 1924. Federal officials confiscated 1,000 5-tael tins worth over $85,000 that were smuggled in from an overseas steamship.{{cite news |title=Train Is Halted |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85038485/1924-07-16/ed-1/seq-16 |access-date=February 26, 2025 |work=The Birmingham Age-Herald |date=July 16, 1924 |page=16}} A ten-year employee, Hobart Fiscus, was arrested in January 1928 after an investigation by federal postal inspectors found Fiscus was "pilfering" mail at the depot for several months. The night clerk, considered by his friends as a man of "excellent reputation", pled guilty in March, serving six months in jail.{{cite news |title=Mail Tampering Charge |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1928/01-20/page-1 |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=January 20, 1928 |page=1}}{{cite news |title=Fiscus Pleads Guilty |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1928/03-02/page-1 |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=March 2, 1928 |page=1}}

After complaints from residents during 1937 about excessive train whistles usually in the morning hours, the Chehalis commissioner board petitioned the city's attorney to request that Northern Pacific "curtail" the noise, specifically towards intercontinental trains passing through the community.{{cite news |title=Want Whistles Softened |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1937/11-26/page-1 |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=November 26, 1937 |page=1}} A fire that destroyed several buildings in the railroad district occurred in the morning hours of July 26, 1939. A shift in the wind spared the depot which reportedly suffered only minor damage.{{cite news |title=Washington Town Is Swept By Fire |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/nevada/reno/reno-evening-gazette/1939/07-26/page-7 |access-date=April 2, 2025 |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=July 26, 1939 |page=7}}

The depot was used to transport Japanese-Americans, including 64% who were United States citizens, on June 2, 1942 during the beginning efforts of the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II; the group was one of the first in the nation to be transported. The 86 individuals of Japanese heritage, which included children, were from Lewis and Pacific County, including the communities of Adna and Onalaska. The group, given yellow Army identification tags that were numbered, boarded a train to Tule Lake War Relocation Center in California.{{cite news |last1=McDonald |first1=Julie |title=Commemoration Marks 75th Anniversary of Incarceration of Japanese Neighbors |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/mcdonald-commentary-commemoration-marks-75th-anniversary-of-incarceration-of-japanese-neighbors,30835? |access-date=April 7, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=May 2, 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Perednia |first1=Graham |title='Most lost everything they had': Centralia museum honors interned Japanese-Americans |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/most-lost-everything-they-had-centralia-museum-honors-interned-japanese-americans/ |access-date=February 24, 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |publisher=The Chronicle |date=June 3, 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Warn |first1=Daniel |title=Lewis County Historical Museum to Host Japanese-American Internment Remembrance Day Event |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/lewis-county-historical-museum-to-host-japanese-american-internment-remembrance-day-event,294870? |access-date=April 14, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 1, 2022}}

After the station's closure, the depot was briefly of use as such again on June 1, 1975 due to a freight train derailment south of Vader that blocked the Amtrak right-of-way into the Puget Sound region. Passengers were bussed around the accident site to the Chehalis station, boarding a replacement Amtrak passenger train on a continuing trip into Seattle.{{cite news |title=Derailment 'reactivates' depot |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1975/06-02/page-1 |access-date=March 31, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=June 2, 1975 |page=1}}

Operational throughout its run as a freight and passenger depot, early signs of its demise began in the late 1960s. The Western Union telegraph office, part of the station since its beginnings, closed in January 1969.{{cite news |title=It's Your Business |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1969/01-14/page-2 |access-date=April 2, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=January 14, 1969 |page=2}} In March 1970, a large merger of several railroad companies led to the creation of Burlington Northern (BNR). The new company, due to "economic reasons", began closing depots and stations in smaller communities. Initial attempts were made to create a combined terminal between the Twin Cities, which would have included the build of an industrial park for the Chehalis–Centralia Airport in the railroad district.{{cite news |last1=Blomdahl |first1=George |title=Chehalis Plan Urges Changes In Transportation Facilities |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1970/03-07/page-17 |access-date=April 2, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=March 7, 1970 |page=8}}

After an announcement in early 1972, passengers were permanently diverted from Chehalis to Centralia. The Chehalis station had begun to mergee their operations and employees with Centralia beginning in January 1973.{{cite news |title=Centralia, Chehalis RR depots to merge |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1973/01-19/page-1 |access-date=April 8, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=January 19, 1973}} The Chehalis Depot was officially closed on February 15, 1973 with plans for demolition under orders from Burlington Northern.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Pat |title=From train depot to historical museum |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/from-train-depot-to-historical-museum,225234? |access-date=March 4, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=January 19, 2006}} In the event that the station was demolished, an early plan was to convert the parcel into a parking lot.

Vacant in the interim, various groups in Chehalis attempted to save the depot. Interest in acquiring the depot was undertaken by the Chehalis Parking Improvement Club which, at the time, leased spaces in two parking lots adjacent to the station.{{cite news |title=Chehalis landmark - Old depot nominated for historical status |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1974/02-22/page-1 |access-date=March 13, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=February 22, 1974 |page=1}} By March 1974, the station was added to the Washington State Heritage Register and beginning offers were made to purchase the site by Lewis County. A letter from Burlington Northern's corporate headquarters was hand delivered in May 1974 to the county commissioner board by a company vice-president stating the railroad's intent to demolish the structure within a month. The statement deemed the structure to be too close to the rail lines and because it was made of brick, considered impossible to relocate. No appeal was to be accepted.{{cite news |last1=Blomdahl |first1=George |title=Railroad to raze old Chehalis depot |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1974/05-02/page-1 |access-date=March 19, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=May 2, 1974 |page=1}}{{cite news |title=Old railroad depot to become museum |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1976/06-29/page-20 |access-date=March 20, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=June 29, 1976 |page=B4}}

Continuing efforts by several organizations and people, which included Senators Henry M. Jackson and Warren Magnuson as well as Representative Julia Butler Hansen,{{cite news |title=Depot petition drive nears completion |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1974/07-10/page-7 |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=July 10, 1974 |page=8}} plans to demolish the depot were postponed in August 1974.{{cite news |title=Railroad halts plans to tear down depot |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1974/08-14/page-1 |access-date=April 7, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=August 14, 1974 |page=1}} However, citing the same concerns of safety and difficulty in moving the building, Burlington Northern announced in May 1975 that the razing of the historic depot was to commence once again.{{cite news |title=Burlington Northern Railroad plans to raze Chehalis depot |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1975/05-19/page-1 |access-date=April 7, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=May 19, 1975 |page=1}}

A petition to save the station was undertaken by a city-wide canvass led by the Committee of Concerned Citizens for the Preservation of the Depot. The appeal was signed by over 1,000 people.{{cite news |title=Depot to become Chehalis museum |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1977/06-03/page-37 |access-date=March 20, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=June 3, 1977 |page=V13}} The efforts were considered an important step that helped the station be added to both the Washington State Heritage Register and the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. However, Burlington Northern restated their concerns over safety as the depot was deteriorating. The company also voiced their concerns over the potential dangers if additional visitors came to facility, with dozens of trains passing by daily.

Due in part to various political actions plans to demolish the depot were postponed into the summer of 1975 with the site beginning to be finalized for its use to the city and the Lewis County Historical Society. Plans were continually waylaid under various concerns, including financial solvency, Burlington Northern's liability, and the county's requirement that the building was to be of use only as a museum.{{cite news |title=Chehalis depot discussed |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1975/01-10/page-10 |access-date=March 19, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=January 10, 1975 |page=10}}

Burlington Northern officially announced on July 11, 1975 that the historic station would not be demolished. An interim agreement was reached that Lewis County could purchase the depot, assuming the county fulfilled promises to undertake safety and improvement concerns the railroad company had stated over the previous years. Failure to do so would have allowed Burlington Northern to retake possession of the site.{{cite news |title=BN agrees to turn depot over to county |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1975/06-12/page-7 |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=June 12, 1975 |page=7}} The deal was still tenuous until September 29th, when the railroad company agreed to lease the building to the county.{{cite news |title=Lease worked out for Chehalis depot |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1975/09-29/page-11 |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=September 29, 1975 |page=11}} Burlington Northern specified requirements that it be used only as a museum and that the county must erect a fence between the railroad tracks and the platform. The original lease, signed on November 3, 1975 and spanning for 20 years, could not be cancelled and required a $1 payment annually; afterwards, the lease could be renewed annually in perpetuity and cancelled only if the county no longer wanted the building under their oversight.{{cite news |title=Chehalis depot - Museum will become reality |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1975/11-03/page-1 |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=November 3, 1975 |page=1}}{{efn|The 1975 lease agreement did not cover the adjoining parking lots.}}

The first proposal for a county museum was approved and adopted by the Lewis County commissioner board in September 1942. A collection of artifacts and historical documents were to be located at the Lewis County Savings and Loan building in Chehalis, overseen by an association of the same name. While the county would not own the museum at first, it declared that once the repository was proven to be successful and of value, the county was to take ownership.{{cite news |title=Museum To Be Started |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1942/09-24/page-6 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=September 24, 1942 |page=6}}{{efn|Sources have not yet been found to verify if the 1942 museum proposal was started and if so, how successful and valuable it was.}}

Another recommendations for a county historical society began in May 1955{{cite news |title='Community Unity' Phase Set To End Tuesday Night |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1955/05-23/page-1 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=May 23, 1955 |page=1}} and the Lewis County Historical Society (LCHS) was officially formed in October 1964;{{cite news |title=Society To Organize |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1964/10-22/page-4 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=October 22, 1964 |page=4}} directors and officers of the group were elected in December.{{cite news |title=Historical Body Listed |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1964/12-02/page-1 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=December 2, 1964 |page=1}}{{efn|Initial annual membership dues of the Lewis County Historical Society in 1965 were $3, with an elevated subscription of $5. A lifetime membership could be purchased for $50.}} The first charter meeting, open to the public, was held on January 21, 1965{{cite news |title=Society To Gather |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1965/01-21/page-1 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=January 21, 1965 |page=1}}{{efn|Addtional reporting mentions the first charter meeting of the LCHS as occurring on January 25, 1965.}} with a membership enrollment of 145.{{cite news |last1=Skinner |first1=Andy |title=The Historical Society Formed with Hard Work and Helping Hands |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/andy-skinner-commentary-the-historical-society-formed-with-hard-work-and-helping-hands,92718? |access-date=April 16, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=October 22, 2013|via=Guest columnist, LCHS director}} The first two projects undertaken by the LCHS were an effort to place markers at sites of early schools in Lewis County no longer in existence, and a plan to rededicate the Fort Borst blockhouse.{{cite news |title=Historical Society To Mark One-Time Schools |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1965/02-25/page-1 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=February 25, 1965 |page=1}} By April, membership more than tripled to 396 people{{efn|Sources vary on the maximum extent of early membership to the LCHS, often ranging between 350 to 400 members. See sources in the section.}} and 22 committees were formed to gather and study information on Lewis County history.

The Lewis County Historical Society and Museum incorporated in 1965 and began searching for a museum location by September 1966 despite waning enthusiasm, decreased membership, and difficulty in organizing both the society and the gathered historical information.{{cite news |title=Historical Unit Dated |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1966/09-16/page-1 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=September 16, 1966 |page=1}} At the time of the depot's proposed demolition, the LCHS was located in a residence known as the Cory House{{efn|Sources sometimes refer to the Cory House under the spelling, "Corey". See sources in the section for the discrepancy.}} on Washington Avenue in the city's Hillside Historic District, a National Register of Historic Places site.{{cite news |title=Ecology ruins irk Centralians |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1974/07-02/page-1 |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=July 2, 1974 |page=1}}{{cite news |title=Historical Society Gets More Gifts |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1966/12-01/page-17 |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=December 1, 1966 |page=18}}

The museum began after Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Cory donated their mid-1920s {{convert|10,000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} home to the society in October 1966; the offer to the society was dependent on the structure's use as a county museum. The Cory's had been residents of Chehalis since 1903. Arthur was a prominent banker and state representative, also undertaking numerous civil service roles within the community.{{cite news |title=Chehalis Couple Gives Residence To Lewis County Historical Society |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1966/10-18/page-1 |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=October 18, 1966 |page=1}} After remodeling of the home, the Lewis County Historical Museum opened on November 2, 1968.{{cite news |last1=Hoxit |first1=Eric |title=Chronograph - Museum For County Long Cherished Goal |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1968/10-25/page-3 |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=October 26, 1968 |page=3}} Visitors on opening day were estimated at 500 people and the museum was announced to be open every Thursday afternoon or by appointment.{{cite news |title=Museum Popular |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1968/11-04/page-1 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=November 4, 1968 |page=1}}

By the end of the first year of operations, the Cory House museum recorded 4,000 visitors and approximately 500 citizens donated at least one item to the society. The basement featured displays on agriculture and timber, as well as an "old-timey" kitchen. The main floor featured exhibits of various historical collectables along with fashion and home interior styles seen over the years. The area also included two post office counters from discontinued post offices in Grand Mound and the former community of Eagleton near Bunker. The top floor contained bedroom displays of an earlier era, and a beginning form of the society's research library.{{cite news |last1=Trout Blinks |first1=Ann |title=Nearly 4,000 Visit Museum Since Opening Last October |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1969/09-06/page-3 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=September 6, 1969 |page=3}}

The society, looking to expand due to the cramped nature and poor location of the Cory House, as well as its lack of accessibility for disabled and senior citizen visitors, immediately began to research the historical importance of the depot. Despite railroad officials lacking confidence that a museum could work, as well as deeming the depot to unsafe to be a museum due to its immediate proximity to the tracks, the LCHS pushed forward, reaching out and involving Burlington Northern, the Chehalis community, and local businesses.

File:Burlington Northern Railroad Depot.jpg

The Chehalis Depot had been vacant since 1973 and atrophy of the structure was substantial. The city council approved a renovation plan by LCHS member and University of Washington student, Cynthia Elise Botch,{{efn| Cynthia Elise Botch was studying interior architecture, choosing the Chehalis depot as a class project. A member of the LCHS, Minnie Lingreen, suggested the idea to Botch.}} in July 1975, leading to almost $115,000 in grants and funding from various parties. Participating agencies and organizations included the Comprehensive Employee Training Act (CETA), the Economic Development Administration (EDA), and the LCHS which used $13,000 of its own funds that were marked for upgrades to the station's electrical and plumbing systems. A Lewis County Public Works director of the county's building department, Dennis Sabin, volunteered to remodel parts of the depot at no taxpayer expense.

As the initial restoration did not include renovating the interior, a pledge drive began in July 1977{{efn|A formal kickoff of the $50,000 pledge drive was a community breakfast held on July 22, 1977.}} to raise $50,000 for such needs as a new heating system and display cases. Students at Green Hill School manufactured and erected a wrought iron fence.{{cite news |last1=Dickason |first1=Glen |title=Chehalis RR depot could become county's museum next spring |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1977/06-16/page-1 |access-date=March 20, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=June 16, 1977}} With less than two weeks left to raise the money, the drive had raised only $10,000; the low amount was considered to be due to the confusion over the various methods of funding being sought.{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Joelle |title=Historical society's drive faltering but sponsors see success |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1977/09-10/page-1 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=September 10, 1977 |page=1}} With a late push, but ultimately falling short, the goal was finally achieved after interest on the deposited funds were added.

Into 1977, the efforts were overseen by Botch and included additional work such as the system installations for security and temperature control; by June, work to reconfigure the interior footprint to better suit a museum layout was still under process. Landscaping, replacing walkways, "rejuvenating" the brick façade and the construction of displays were additional parts of the overall remodel. The roof was replaced by the same month, the labor undertaken by the CETA who also contributed to several other efforts within the facility. In combination with the slow or delayed releases of funds that prevented the completion of several exterior needs, including repairs to the platform and soffits, the opening of the museum was ultimately pushed past several promised dates, such as a planned United States Bicentennial celebration in 1976. A retaining wall on Front Street, which was higher in elevation than the depot, was built of sheet metal and planted with ivy beginning in October 1977.{{cite news |last1=Hillstrom |first1=Harry |title=New museum in Chehalis to boast ivy-covered slope |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1977/10-22/page-11 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=October 22, 1977 |page=11}}

Funding to fully complete the restoration were figured as low as $100,000 but reached as high as $175,000. Although most costs were considered to be covered by donations of Chehalins and Lewis county residents, additional monies were made available for the restoration via a combination of several county, state, and federal programs. Funds did not cover all the anticipated renovations, requiring a scale of work to be smaller in scope. The monetary constraints did not allow the LCHS to purchase the historic Doty Bridge in 1976, which was under threat of demolition.{{cite news |last1=Hoxit |first1=Eric |title=Little hope for covered bridge |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1976/02-24/page-1 |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=February 24, 1976 |page=1}}

During the depot's restoration, residents throughout the county began donating items of historical interest to the LCHS. Keepsakes included clothing and textiles, farm equipment and tools, journals and magazines, maps, photographs, and a scale replica of Fort Borst. Several memorial donations were made to the Chehalis Depot Restoration Fund.{{cite news |title=More prizes for county museum |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1977/07-30/page-19 |access-date=March 20, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=July 30, 1977 |page=W3}} An open house was held in May 1977 to show local citizens an early display version of the collected donations.{{cite news |title=County museum hosts open house |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1977/05-11/page-11 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=May 11, 1977 |page=12}} Plaques honoring donors were introduced in August. Affixed to an interior wall, people who donated above $100 received a bronze, "Museum Associates" honor while those who gave above $500 were bestowed with a silver, "Friends" plaque. Any patron who contributed above $1,000 were awarded an inscripted gold plaque under the title, "Museum Patrons".{{cite news |title=Plaques to honor donors to Lewis County Museum |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1977/08-30/page-8 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=August 30, 1977 |page=8}}

The former Northern Pacific Depot was officially renamed as the Lewis County Historical Society and Museum, with the organization granted rights to the facility under the $1 per year lease signed in 1975.{{cite news |last1=Seattle Times staff |title=Lewis County Historical Museum |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/lewis-county-historical-museum/ |access-date=July 26, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 5, 2006}}

An early dedication was held on October 7, 1978 and the Cory House location closed ten days later. Lewis County did not declare the renovations as complete until December 27, 1978. The addition of exhibits and displays were begun in early 1979 under the oversight of the museum's first director, Jill Kangas. The museum celebrated its grand reopening on September 18, 1979, with a five-day festival.{{cite news |last1=Rush |first1=Jessica |title=Up in the Attic at the Lewis County Historical Museum |url=http://www.lewistalk.com/2020/02/01/up-in-the-attic-at-the-lewis-county-historical-museum/ |access-date=July 26, 2021 |work=Lewis Talk |date=February 1, 2020}} During the first week, the museum recorded approximately 2,500 visitors.

Fundraisers were necessary in 1992 and 1995 to help offset operating costs and a lack of "permanent funding". The 1992 drive led to a rewrite of the museum's bylaws helping to improve several accounting and financial issues. However, a continuing reliance on limited membership dues and small grants from the county and the Twin Cities,{{efn|Centralia and Chehalis are commonly referred to as the Twin Cities due to their immediate location to one another. See city articles for further information.}} remained a difficulty, often putting the museum's ability to remain open in jeopardy.{{cite news |last1=Nelson |first1=Jonathan |title=Museum goes fishing for dollars |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/1995/01-26/page-1 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=January 26, 1995 |page=1}} Approximately 80% of the operating costs were covered by donations, dues, and interest from the society's endowment fund; remaining income was derived by a local motel and hotel tax.{{cite news |last1=Nelson |first1=Jonathan |title=She has an enthusiasm for history |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/1996/05-16 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=May 16, 1996 |pages=A1, A10}}

By 1999, Burlington Northern was offering to sell the building for approximately $200,000, but the society did not have funds to purchase the depot at the time. The museum was struggling financially and the interior, with boarded windows, was described by the LCHS president as "dismal" and "dreary".{{cite news |last1=Henderer |first1=John |title=Museum chooses new director |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/1999/09-15/page-3 |access-date=March 31, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=September 15, 1999 |page=A3}}

File:Lewis County Historical Museum 01.jpg

Due to a lack of funding, volunteer participation, and three directors in three years, the museum struggled in the early 2000s despite a subscription base of 450 members.{{cite news |last1=Stanton |first1=Carrina |title=Historical museum loses another director |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2005/06-01/page-4 |access-date=April 7, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 1, 2005 |page=A4}}

The museum began a remodeling effort in 2003 known as the "Renovating the Past for the Future" project. A first phase, with an estimated cost of $35,000 which was mostly funded by donations, focused on expanding rooms dedicated to the local styles of the Victorian era. A second facet was to build a vintage town square display; a final phase was to fully complete both efforts. Additional upgrades to lighting and the refreshing of millwork was also part of the project. Meant to upgrade the presentation of the site while creating the museum as a "vintage destination", the attempted remodel was considered necessary by the acting director at the time as the depot had "an ugly frame around it".{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Pat |title=Lewis County Historical Museum to get a facelift |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2003/03-07/page-1 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=March 7, 2003 |pages=A1, A10}}

An executive director of the museum was found to have been partly responsible{{efn|The loss of nearly the entirety of the LCHS endowment fund discovered after the 2008-2010 embezzlement was at first thought to be entirely Knapp's doing. Investigations later lowered the accusation against Knapp to $200,000. Ongoing investigation of the incident indicated that numerous people had access to the endowment account, and coupled with poor accounting practice, made it difficult to prove that Knapp stole more than $95,000.}} for the loss of $460,000 from the museum's endowment fund beginning in January 2008 to the end of 2010. The accused, Debbie Knapp, shifted funds into a separate account, using the money for personal use. Knapp was accused of spending a total of $100,000 of the organization's funds, which included excessive salary payments to herself. The executive board was replaced after a membership vote in November 2011 and Knapp was arrested in December.{{cite news |last1=Schendel |first1=Stephanie |title=Former Museum Director Pleads Guilty |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/former-museum-director-pleads-guilty,104755? |access-date=April 16, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=March 14, 2013}} The museum, at the time of her arrest, was left with $2,000 and over $13,000 in debts which were in part paid off in part due to a charitable loan from a local bank; the loan, which was also used to purchase computers to assist with scanning historical documents and photographs, was paid back by early 2012.{{cite news |last1=Spurr |first1=Kyle |title=Lewis County Historical Society Hires New Director |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/lewis-county-historical-society-hires-new-director,142342? |access-date=March 5, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=March 21, 2012}}

The museum was closed, with the doors locked, for several weeks in November 2011 during the Chehalis police department-led investigation against Knapp, which included an audit of accounting records from the beginning of 2008.{{cite news |last1=Brewer |first1=Christopher |title=Historical Museum Temporarily Shut Down and Locked As Police Investigate Account Activity |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/historical-museum-temporarily-shut-down-and-locked-as-police-investigate-account-activity,152954? |access-date=April 16, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=November 15, 2011}} The site was reopened on December 1st with a ribbon cutting ceremony.{{cite news |last1=McDonald |first1=Julie |title=Museum Grand Reopening Coincides with Friday's Evening with the Authors |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/julie-mcdonald-commentary-museum-grand-reopening-coincides-with-fridays-evening-with-the,152138? |access-date=April 16, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=November 29, 2011}} Employees were also temporarily laid off during the time due to the financial constraints caused by the crime.{{cite news |last1=Brewer |first1=Christopher |title=Former Lewis County museum director suspect in $100,000 theft |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/former-lewis-county-museum-director-suspect-in-100000-theft/ |access-date=February 24, 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=December 29, 2011}}

Knapp pled guilty in May 2013 and served 8 months of a maximum 14 month sentence. She was ordered to pay back over $95,000.{{efn|Wages that Knapp earned while being incarcerated during the trial were garnished in efforts to settle her debt to the museum. The amount clawed back was $30.}} The disorganized bookkeeping of the museum masked attempts to prove that Knapp may have stolen additional funds.{{cite news |last1=Schendel |first1=Stephanie |title=Freed Former Museum Director Illustrates Long Process of Collecting Restitution for Financial Crimes |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/freed-former-museum-director-illustrates-long-process-of-collecting-restitution-for-financial,83422? |access-date=April 15, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 10, 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Schendel |first1=Stephanie |title=Former Museum Director Owes $95,895 |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/former-museum-director-owes-95895,96613? |access-date=April 15, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=July 25, 2013}}

The endowment fund was "resurrected" in early 2014 with two large donations totaling $149,000. The estate of June Clare, a longtime Chehalis resident, was responsible for $125,000 of the new funds; an exhibit room was named in her honor.{{cite news |last1=Brewer |first1=Christopher |title=Chehalis Resident Bequeaths $149,000 to Museum Endowment Fund |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/chehalis-resident-bequeaths-149000-to-museum-endowment-fund,83636? |access-date=April 15, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 3, 2014}} The endowment was reconfigured by the end of 2017, creating a separate investment account. Withdrawals on the endowment was to be restricted and incoming donations were allowed to be specifically authorized only to be used to generate interest returns for museum operations. The president of the LCHS board stated at the time that removing money from the endowment would "take nearly an act of God".{{cite news |last1=McDonald |first1=Julie |title=Volunteers Digitize Historic Photos, Tapes; Museum Establishes Endowment |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/mcdonald-volunteers-digitize-historic-photos-tapes-museum-establishes-endowment,21594? |access-date=April 15, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=November 17, 2017}}

A documentary, focusing on both Twin City depots at their respective 100th anniversaries, was filmed by KBTC-TV in 2012.{{cite news |last1=Spurr |first1=Kyle |title=Train Depot Documentary Filmed in Twin Cities |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/train-depot-documentary-filmed-in-twin-cities,143559? |access-date=April 14, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=March 8, 2012}} Since 2019, the building has been hosting a live camera feed of the train tracks behind the building.{{cite news |last1=Nailon |first1=Jordan |title=Cameras Now Broadcasting Twin City Train Traffic |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/cameras-now-broadcasting-twin-city-train-traffic,6924 |access-date=June 4, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=November 1, 2019}} Approximately 100 viewers in February 2025 reported an assault of a woman that was being shown live on the camera feed; the suspect fled soon thereafter.{{cite news |last1=Fitzgerald |first1=Emily |title=Railfan viewers report in-progress assault near train tracks in Chehalis on Saturday; male suspect wanted for assault, attempt to elude |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/railfan-viewers-report-in-progress-assault-near-train-tracks-in-chehalis-on-saturday-male-suspect,375198 |access-date=March 10, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=February 10, 2025}}

At the time of the NRHP nomination, the building was considered privately owned by Burlington Northern though in the process of "public acquisition". The depot and museum building, {{as of|lc=y|2012}}, is owned by Lewis County and maintenance falls under their jurisdiction; the county does not charge the LCHS rent for use of the facility.{{cite news |last1=Broadt |first1=Lisa |title=County Says 'No' to Being Sole Supporter of Museum |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/county-says-no-to-being-sole-supporter-of-museum,114927? |access-date=April 16, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=November 29, 2012}}

The Lewis County Historical Society is considered a non-profit organization, with the Lewis County Historical Museum listed as a separate non-profit corporation. The combined entity's mandate is a dedication to the preservation and history of Lewis County. The society, privately held, and its operations are funded usually by annual memberships, income generated at the museum, or from grants between the Twin Cities of Centralia and Chehalis. An endowment fund, funded by a variety of memorial contributions and subscriptions, provides long-term financial reliability.{{cite news |author1=The Chronicle staff |title=Historical Museum provides link to the past |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/historical-museum-provides-link-to-the-past,255459? |access-date=March 4, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=January 11, 2003}}

A group known as The Friday Bunch was formed and seated by the Detering sisters. The trio of Elma, Hazel, and Ruby came from a pioneer family in Lewis County and were long-serving volunteers at the museum, with Elma and Hazel serving since the museum was located at the Cory House in the 1960s.{{cite news |last1=Shouse |first1=Jim |title='The Friday Bunch' volunteers at museum |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/1994/04-05/page-5 |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=April 5, 1994 |page=A5}}

The museum's research library was named Margaret Shields Library in 2014 after a long-serving volunteer. Shields, known as the museum's official historian, began the library after joining the staff in 1977. She made the first donation to restore the endowment fund after the 2008-2010 embezzlement.{{cite news |last1=Brewer |first1=Christopher |title=Margaret Shields, Volunteer of 36 Years, Honored at Lewis County Museum |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/margaret-shields-volunteer-of-36-years-honored-at-lewis-county-museum,78921? |access-date=April 14, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=November 11, 2014}} Gathering historical documentation in cooperation with Margaret Langus, she became known as one of "the Margarets", and also as "Maggie the Mechanic" due to her employment as a Rosie the Riveter at the local Boeing plant during World War II. Shields died on July 22, 2016 at the age of 96.{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Alex |title=Museum Mourns Loss of Margaret Shields, 'Living History' of Lewis County |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/museum-mourns-loss-of-margaret-shields-living-history-of-lewis-county,15965? |access-date=April 14, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=July 24, 2018}}

Langus, who worked as a nurse at the same Boeing plant, was an archival and research volunteer for 20 years. She died on February 10, 2015 at the age of 93.{{cite news |author1=The Chronicle staff |title=Museum Remembers Longtime Volunteer Margaret Langus |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/museum-remembers-longtime-volunteer-margaret-langus,76042? |access-date=April 15, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=February 20, 2015}}

File:Station Panorama 6742.jpg

The depot is situated at the northwest end of the National Register of Historic Places-listed Chehalis Downtown Historic District at the intersection of West Street and Front Street. The building's footprint spans to the Front Street intersection with Pacific Avenue.{{efn|The NRHP nomination form lists the address vaguely as, "off U.S. 99/WA 1".}} Immediately to the west is the city's Pennsylvania Avenue-West Side Historic District, a listed district on the NRHP.{{cite news |author1=The Chronicle staff |title=Museum Day events planned |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2000/05-13/page-22 |access-date=March 20, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=May 13, 2000 |page=C2}}

The Burlington Northern station, along with the NRHP-listed Centralia Union Depot, served as a halfway point between the Columbia River and Puget Sound.{{cite news |last1=Dorpat |first1=Paul |title=The train stops here: Centralia, Chehalis, 1912 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/the-train-stops-here-centralia-chehalis-1912/ |access-date=February 24, 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 15, 2011}}

File:Burlington Northern Railroad Depot (Chehalis, Washington) 02.jpg

Unless otherwise noted, the details provided are based on the 1974 National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nomination form and may not reflect updates or changes to the Northern Pacific Depot/Lewis County Historical Museum in the interim.{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=74001967}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Burlington Northern Depot |publisher=National Park Service|author= |date= |accessdate=November 4, 2024}} With {{NRHP url|id=74001967|photos=y|title=accompanying pictures}}{{source-attribution}}

The depot is a one-story, rectangular building measuring approximately {{convert|45|x|160|ft|abbr=on}}. The station is situated parallel to the railroad tracks and is nearly one block long. The building is described in several different styles, but most predominately as Mission Revival architecture.

File:Cross gable 6742.jpg

Although a continuous structure, the depot is constructed in a manner that visually separates the building into five sections. The medium-pitched roof contains parapet gables in the second through fourth sections. The sloped, capped gables contain a semi-circular protrusion as well as corbels and decorative brickwork. The middle section is a cross gable roof and is the building's center peak, standing slightly above the adjoining sections. The main roof contains a slight bellcast at the eaves. This overhang and cornice detail continues uninterrupted around the entirety of the depot, insetting or expanding as the plane of the exterior walls change from section to section, creating a consistent soffit width. At the 100th anniversary of the building in 2012, sections of the tiled roof were noted to still remain in its original form.

File:End gable 6743.jpg

The bookended sections contain a shallower, three-quarter hip roof and rest slightly below the parapet gables. The north end section is a covered porch, once the main entrance to the original waiting room. Six posts, of which two are attached to the building, are split three to a side and support the porch roof. At the time of the NRHP nomination, stenciled warnings were added to each side of all posts, declaring, "DO NOT SPIT".

The south end, the location of the freight office, is enclosed and inset to the fourth section which was the original baggage handling area. The walls of the third section extend several feet out from the attached waiting and baggage sections, and contains a rectangular bay window. Long, vertical windows, originally for use of railroad personnel to observe approaching trains, provide views of the tracks from the second and fourth sections.

The central area once contained the railroad office and a telegraph room. The layout of the building was efficient, requiring minimum use of connecting hallways and seamless transitions for passengers from the waiting room to the baggage area.

The walls contain a continuous course of stone above a beginning stone base layer. The stone course is interrupted only by doorways and the windows rest upon its top course. Double-door entrances are located at the freight and baggage area and contained multi-pane transom windows. Three doors provide access to the waiting room, one located under the covered porch and two side entrances opposite each other on the east and west walls. Windows, usually double-hung with multi-pane transoms, are set in a consistent manner with exceptions at the baggage area.

File:Ceramic tile 6858.jpg

The waiting room off the covered porch section is noted for a cove ceiling with an "unusually large radius". The walls contain Neoclassical architecture pilasters that become ribs that equally converge across the ceiling. At the time of the NRHP nomination, the chest-high wainscotting was white-glazed and the floor was terrazzo. The passenger room, converted along with other parts of the floor as a display area for the museum, is approximately {{convert|4,600|sqft|m2}} in size.

The station once contained a public telephone booth, installed before February 1922.{{cite news |title=Take Phone Box |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1922/02-10/page-13 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=February 10, 1922 |page=3}} Two grass lawn areas were located immediate to the north and south entrances of the station after the 1912 construction.

File:McKinley Stump 03.jpg

Located at the Lewis County Historical Museum is the McKinley Stump, a replica of a {{convert|6|foot|abbr=off}} tall remnant of a Douglas fir cut down in 1901 near Pe Ell. Dated between 360 and 700 years old, it was meant to be used as a speech pedestal for President William McKinley, but the event was cancelled. Theodore Roosevelt used it during his 1903 visit and William H. Taft employed the stump as a podium in 1907. The artifact was originally placed in downtown under a pagoda, but was moved to the railroad depot. After damages caused by arson, the stump was moved to Recreation Park Complex in the late 1940s. Due to an infestation of carpenter ants and subsequent rot, the historical pulpit was removed from the park in 2007 and a replica stump, cut from Tenino, was installed at the museum in 2008 with a restored pagoda and a display of an undamaged slab of the original artifact.{{cite news |title=Different stump, same memories |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2008/jan/19/different-stump-same-memories/ |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=The Spokesman-Review |publisher=Associated Press |date=January 19, 2008}}{{cite news |last1=Stein |first1=Alan J. |title=The McKinley Stump in Chehalis is removed on October 23, 2007 |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/8374 |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=HistoryLink |date=October 17, 2013}}

In the immediate years after the construction of the depot, the McKinley Stump was featured on a grassy lawn area, immediately south of the freight entrance to the depot.{{cite news |title=Untitled - 2nd column |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1916/08-11/page-10 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=August 11, 1916 |page=6}}

The museum hosts several distinct rooms and areas pertaining to the history of railroads, timber, Native Americans, and early pioneer life in Chehalis. The building also includes a research library and a model train display.{{cite news |author1=The Chronicle staff |title=Enjoy Some Roadside History |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2007/04-28/page-52 |access-date=July 1, 2024 |work=The Chronicle |date=April 27, 2007 |page=14}} The museum's gift shop provides books on local and county history. Initial components of the depot permanently reside in the museum, which includes a passenger bench and water fountain, as well as the original ticket window. Exhibits in the main gallery are changed approximately every six months and some items donated to the museum are required to be on permanent display.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Pat |title=Love is in the air at museum |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2002/02-23/page-21 |access-date=March 20, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=February 23, 2002 |pages=C1, C4}} Guided tours of the museum, as well as instructional classes on early crafts and homemaking, are offered.

The museum exhibit space was listed, in 2000, as {{convert|4,600|sqft|m2}} and by 2003, the museum held a collection touching on over 50,000 historical subjects in the county as well as a repertory of 15,000 photographs. The cache is focused extensively on pioneer and family histories in the area, complied from 35,000 records obtained from cemetery, census, marriage, and obituary documents. Oral records of early pioneers are recorded on tape and are stored at the museum. In August 2024, the museum opened a free, online database containing possibly more than 35,000 photographs from its collection.{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=Lewis County Historical Museum launches digital photo collection featuring more than 35,000 images |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/lewis-county-historical-museum-launches-digital-photo-collection-featuring-more-than-35000-images,360910 |access-date=March 5, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=August 30, 2024}}

The most recognized display is an expansive, working model train exhibit that was unveiled at a free event in 2005. Completed in 2012 under the Lewis County Model Railroad Club, the {{convert|15|x|36|ft|abbr=on}} miniature depicts a condensed version of Lewis County and the {{convert|600|sqft|m2|adj=on}} space includes a variety of artifacts and photographs detailing railroad history in the county.{{cite news |author1=The Chronicle staff |title=Museum plans kickoff event for model train |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2005/11-12/page-3 |access-date=March 24, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=November 12, 2005 |page=A3}}{{cite news |last1=Schwartz |first1=Eric |title=New director looks to create interest in museum |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2005/07-10/page-1 |access-date=March 31, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=July 11, 2005 |pages=A1, A11}}

The main room, once the passenger waiting area, is used for exhibits and displays, some rotated based on local festivities or historical perspectives. The primary gallery includes areas focusing on antiques, such as clothes, dolls, and quilts, and has had displays on "hometown baseball", an early-1900s second hand store, and a one-room school. A notable display, known as the "Home Sweet Home" exhibit, features a laundry porch with items intended for interactive use. A permanent art gallery was created in 2015 in the front room; the exhibit is in partnership with ARTrails, a county-wide arts initiative.{{cite news |author1=The Chronicle staff |title=Historical Museum Launches Permanent ARTrails Gallery |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/historical-museum-launches-permanent-artrails-gallery,75407? |access-date=April 15, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=March 6, 2015}}

A second gallery, known as Gallery II and the Indian Room, features a dugout canoe, indigenous crafts including baskets woven by Mary Kiona, a diorama on longhouses, and a tribute to Roy I. Rochon Wilson. An archive of the recorded history of Lewis County is located in Gallery III, the research library. The room contains Donation Land Claim records, written history and journals of early county pioneers, as well as local newspapers from as early as 1884. Several display areas include a blacksmithing shop and mercantile exhibit, while other sections focus on the region's farming, mining, and timber backgrounds. An interactive area spanning two rooms feature typewriters, tools, and a water pump, and was opened in April 1997.{{cite news |last1=Pfeifer |first1=Larissa |title=Handling this museum's displays is part of the fun for kids |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/1997/04-09 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=April 9, 1997 |pages=A1, A10}} The venue's attic space stores numerous, donated items not readily inserted into permanent or focused exhibits but have, at times, been part of temporary showings of the eclectic or history on pioneer life.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Pat |title='Treasures from the Attic' exhibit to open |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2004/11-06/page-27 |access-date=March 24, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=November 6, 2005 |pages=D1, D5}}

Three exhibits pertaining to the Centralia Tragedy have been held at the museum. The first, containing documents and photographs, was unveiled in November 1994.{{cite news |last1=Pierce |first1=Laura |title='Riot' exhibit get high marks |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/1994/11-02/page-1 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=November 2, 1994 |pages=A1, A12}} An exhibit in 2003 was built to honor the county's early law and justice history, with attention on the Armistice Day Riot. A temporary exhibit in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Centralia Massacre was on display through the latter-half of 2019. The “probably the most controversial display ever” showcased a looped, 43-second film that was recorded on the day after the Armistice Riot; the event also displayed photos pertaining to the legal proceedings in the aftermath, and numerous other artifacts, including newspaper clippings and American Legion and IWW paraphernalia.{{cite news |last1=Rubin |first1=Will |title=Museum Debuts Centralia Armistice Day Exhibit |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/museum-debuts-centralia-armistice-day-exhibit,8769? |access-date=March 4, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 28, 2019}}

In addition to Gallery II, the museum has hosted several exhibits on local and regional indigenous history, including an eight-month long feature in the main gallery titled, "Two Rivers, Two People". The event, beginning in late-2000, focused on the history of both the Chehalis and Cowlitz people which included artifacts and photographs.{{cite news |author1=The Chronicle staff |title=New exhibit opens at Historical museum |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2000/11-11/page-29 |access-date=April 14, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=November 11, 2000 |page=C8}}

Retrospectives have spanned several topics and genres pertinent to the county. The history of the KELA (AM) radio station and its founder, J. Elroy McCaw, was displayed during an exhibit in mid-1996.{{cite news |title=McCaw on display |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/1996/07-25/page-17 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=July 25, 1996 |pages=C1,C3}} A tribute exhibit, known as "Women's History: HER-itage Celebration", was held during Women's History Month in 2003. Focusing on "women's contributions to society, culture and history", the event displayed historical perspectives of prominent Lewis County women, such as Matilda (Mary) Jackson and the matriarch of Chehalis, Eliza Tynan Saunders Barrett. Women of national and international note were also featured. The suffrage movement and women's roles during World War II were noted components of the retrospective.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Pat |title=Exhibit showcases women's roles in history |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2003/03-08/page-21 |access-date=April 14, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=March 8, 2003 |pages=C1, C6}} Artifacts found during a military-led excavation at Centralia's Army National Guard Armory on Seminary Hill were part of a display in late-2019. Items included connections to the site of nearby historic Grace Seminary and Centralia General Hospital.{{cite news |last1=Mancini |first1=Ralph |title=Grace Seminary Artifacts, Found During Excavation, Unveiled |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/grace-seminary-artifacts-found-during-excavation-unveiled,7056? |access-date=April 14, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=October 23, 2019}}

Several World War II retrospectives have taken place at the museum. A temporary exhibit begun in July 1998 and titled, "Hardships and Heartstrings: Stories from the Homefront During World War II", focused on the county and local war effort as well as the difficulties experienced by those who remained stateside.{{cite news |last1=MacCracken |first1=Gordon |title=Wartime revisited at exhibit |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/1998/07-04 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=July 4, 1998 |pages=A1, A9}} An event known as "Remembrance Day", honoring the 75th anniversary of Lewis County's beginning involvement in the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, was held at the museum on June 3, 2017. A permanent display of the historical moment was added to the depot's collection. A plaque with the inscription, “Time has revealed the injustice of your experience, which we regret. We admire your loyalty, patriotism and dedication to this nation”, was also dedicated to Lewis County citizens who left to the camps via the Chehalis depot. Japanese-Americans, given Army identification tags that were numbered and yellow, were shipped to Tule Lake War Relocation Center on June 2, 1942, one of the first groups in the nation to do so. A follow-up exhibit and program, in cooperation with the Japanese American Museum of Oregon was held five years later.

The 100th anniversary of the Chehalis depot in 2012 involved several events and exhibits. A weekend car show in May, titled as "100 Years of Transportation", showcased vintage automobiles and transportation in the early 1900s. The festivities were held in conjunction with local car enthusiasts and the Vintage Motorcycle Museum, located in the downtown district's Hotel Washington at the time. A "100 Years of Technology" event, focusing on logging equipment, was held later that same month.{{cite news |last1=Spurr |first1=Kyle |title=Museum Celebrates Depot History with 100 years of Transportation |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/museum-celebrates-depot-history-with-100-years-of-transportation,139678? |access-date=March 4, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=May 7, 2012}}

Notable artifacts in the museum's collection include an M3 Stuart tank, which was acquired in 1982 and was displayed at the site until 2003. The mobile weapon was moved to the city's Veterans Memorial Museum; a disagreement over ownership of the tank is unresolved due to a lack of paperwork.{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Alex |title=Museums Battle Over Ownership of WWII Tank |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/museums-battle-over-ownership-of-wwii-tank,16984? |access-date=April 14, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 1, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=McDonald |first1=Julie |title=Highlighting Lewis County: Who Owns the Stuart Light Tank in Dispute? The Military |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/highlighting-lewis-county-who-owns-the-stuart-light-tank-in-dispute-the-military,16951? |access-date=April 15, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 5, 2018}} A vintage horse-drawn carriage that was part of a display at the Joseph Borst House was donated by the city of Centralia to the museum in 2017.{{cite news |last1=Perednia |first1=Graham |title=Centralia Donates Horse-Drawn Hearse, Hack to Museum and Funeral Home |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/centralia-donates-horse-drawn-hearse-hack-to-museum-and-funeral-home,22285? |access-date=April 15, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=October 26, 2017}} A maple and yellow cedar violin, crafted in 1912 by Calvin Lemuel Young, a logger and Chehalis resident at the time, was donated to the museum in 2024. The instrument was used in a Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association performance at the museum as part of a "homecoming" ceremony for the musical artifact.{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=Decades after pawn shop discovery, violin made over a century ago donated to Lewis County Historical Museum |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/decades-after-pawn-shop-discovery-violin-made-over-a-century-ago-donated-to-lewis-county,360199 |access-date=March 4, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=August 16, 2024}}

A railfan park has been considered since 2022 that would neighbor the Lewis County Historical Society and Museum. The idea began after the livestream video camera was placed on the museum in 2019. The park's plans include benches and tables, a boardwalk, and a caboose open for interactive exploration.{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=Train Enthusiasts Hope to See Chehalis Railfan Cam Become a Park |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/train-enthusiasts-hope-to-see-chehalis-railfan-cam-become-a-park,298566? |access-date=March 4, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=August 19, 2022}} The depot, since its conversion to a historical repository, has long lacked an area for the viewing of trains despite a mile-long sightline for incoming trains. The project was reinvigorated in 2025 after the death of Daryl Lund, a well-respected and prominent Chehalis resident who, as a member of the city council, helped authorize the railfan camera. The updated plans, adhering to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, would include a photograph interpretive display and a courtyard.{{cite news |last1=Fitzgerald |first1=Emily |title=Chehalis railcam fans propose idea for 'Daryl Lund Memorial Railfan Park' to create safe gathering space and promote local train watching |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/chehalis-railcam-fans-propose-idea-for-daryl-lund-memorial-railfan-park-to-create-safe,375934 |access-date=March 4, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=February 24, 2025}}

The museum was host to several events held during the 150th anniversary of Lewis County. The ceremonies included the December 1994 kickoff of the year-long celebration and an unveiling of the sesquicentennial logo.{{cite news |author1=Jonathon Nelson |author2=George H. Blomdahl |title=Sesquicentennial logo brings together county's past, present - Anniversary events begin Wednesday in Chehalis |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/1994/12-20 |access-date=March 20, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=December 20, 1994 |pages=A, A11}}

In an effort to raise funds and promote the museum, the LCHS cooperated with the Chehalis–Centralia Railroad in September 2006 to stage a performative train robbery. Employees of the museum participated in the event.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Pat |title=How to stage a steam train robbery |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2006/09-23/page-3 |access-date=April 14, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=September 23, 2006 |page=A3}}

Throughout May 2012, events were held at the museum in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the station. The first event focused on transportation, with a vintage car show that featured horse drawn carriages.{{cite news |last1=Spurr |first1=Kyle |title=Museum Honors Train Depots' 100th Anniversary |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/museum-honors-train-depots-100th-anniversary,139978? |access-date=April 7, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=May 3, 2012}} A postmark with a pictorial cancellation was offered by the Chehalis Post Office, commemorating the depot's construction. The cancellation stamp featured an illustration of the building. Envelopes, with either a McKinley Stump photo or of a railroad-style logo, were also offered. The postmark celebration was held during a one-day only “100 Years of Technology” exhibit that featured vintage railroad and agricultural equipment, as well as older technology such as cameras, radios, and telephones.{{cite news |author1=The Chronicle staff |title=Special Historical Museum Postal Cancellation Offered |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/special-historical-museum-postal-cancellation-offered,138091? |access-date=February 26, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=May 12, 2012}} An official anniversary ceremony was celebrated on May 26, 2012 with a focus on technology. A working telegraph, on loan from a museum in Winlock, was on display and available for use, and the festivities included live music and the unveiling of information kiosks highlighting historical locations throughout the city.{{cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Victoria |title=Lewis County Museum Celebrates 100 Years of Train Depots and Technology |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/lewis-county-museum-celebrates-100-years-of-train-depots-and-technology,137691? |access-date=March 10, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=May 28, 2012}}

The museum has been part of the Chehalis Flying Saucer Festival, an event that honors the city's connection of the 1947 Kenneth Arnold UFO sighting.{{cite news |last1=Girgis |first1=Lauren |title=In WA, a hot spot for UFO sightings, people still want to believe |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/northwest/in-wa-a-hot-spot-for-ufo-sightings-people-still-want-to-believe/ |access-date=November 4, 2024 |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 20, 2024}} Held since 2019, it features candy and gift-filled cardboard flying saucers known as the "saucer drop" that celebrates the 1947 flying disc craze; the drop was once part of Chehalis's "Krazy Days", an annual festival now known as ChehalisFest.{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=Northwest Flying Saucer Film Fest returning this September for Chehalis Flying Saucer Party; entries accepted through August |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/northwest-flying-saucer-film-fest-returning-this-september-for-chehalis-flying-saucer-party,333850 |access-date=November 4, 2024 |work=The Chronicle |date=February 2, 2024}}{{cite news |author1=The Chronicle staff |title=Flying Saucer Party Lands in Chehalis |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/flying-saucer-party-lands-in-chehalis,7665? |access-date=November 4, 2024 |work=The Chronicle |date=September 18, 2019}}

File:NRHP Plaque 6871.jpg

Prior to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listing, the station was added to the Washington State Heritage Register on March 8, 1974.{{cite news |title=Old depot gets status |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1974/03-11/page-1 |access-date=March 13, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=March 11, 1974 |page=1}} The depot was added to the NRHP on November 6, 1974.{{cite news |title=News Briefs - Depot On Register |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1974/11-14/page-12 |access-date=March 19, 2025 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=November 14, 1974 |page=12}}{{efn|Sourcing since 1974 has mentioned differing dates for the NRHP acceptance, including December 29, 1974.}} The NRHP nomination declared the station to be in "good condition" and in a mostly unaltered state. The depot was considered a "distinctive historical asset" and noted as a focal point in the city's business district.

Architecturally, the depot's design and style was recognized as a "good example" of the standard for train stations in medium-sized cities such as Chehalis in the early 20th century. The NRHP form also noted the connection of Theodore Roosevelt's visit to the city and the McKinley Stump.

After the depot was built in 1912, the Chehalis Bee-Nugget newspaper wrote that the first station in 1890 was borne out of the community's pride and flag stop efforts in the 1870s, declaring the moment as "typical" of the Chehalis spirit and a show of the town's character. The overall work was considered crucial to the 1912 historic station, deeming the excitement over the new structure and it's usefulness to the community to be deserved.

{{notelist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last1=McDonald Zander |first1=Julie |title=Images of America - Chehalis |date=2011 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=9780738576039 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NaVwkcPhFwEC |access-date=April 16, 2025}}
• {{cite book |last1=Crowell |first1=Sandra A. |title=The Land Called Lewis - A History Of Lewis County, Washington |date=2007 |publisher=Panesko Publishing |location=Chehalis, Washington |isbn=978-0-9794515-0-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5EIcMgAACAAJ |access-date=April 16, 2025}}

{{refend}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/000275532 Chehalis Bee-Nugget - The City of Chehalis, County Seat of Lewis County, State of Washington, 1909 guide - via HathiTrust]
• [https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1977/08-16/page-9 The Daily Chronicle, August 16, 1977 - Fundraising ad]
• [https://lewiscountymuseum.org/ Lewis County Historical Museum website]
• [https://hub.catalogit.app/10164/folder/entry/2a621870-a808-11ed-9fcc-5b384716e3e8 Lewis County Historical Society and Museum - Cory House, photo, date unknown]
• [https://hub.catalogit.app/10164/folder/entry/1704c430-a803-11ed-9fcc-5b384716e3e8 Lewis County Historical Society and Museum - Cory House, photo, 1960s]
• [https://hub.catalogit.app/10164/folder/entry/2d8fd590-a804-11ed-9fcc-5b384716e3e8 Lewis County Historical Museum - interior, photo, 1978]
• [https://www.lewistalk.com/2024/08/05/from-rails-to-relics-the-story-of-the-chehalis-depot-turned-lewis-county-historical-museum/ LewisTalk - From Rails to Relics: The Story of the Chehalis Depot Turned Lewis County Historical Museum]
• [https://www.pbs.org/video/full-focus-railroad-ties/ PBS.org - Railroad Ties, documentary on Chehalis and Centralia depots]

{{National Register of Historic Places}}

{{National Register of Historic Places listings in Lewis County, Washington}}

{{National Register of Historic Places in Washington}}

{{Chehalis, Washington}}

Category:National Register of Historic Places in Lewis County, Washington

Category:1912 establishments in Washington (state)

Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1912

Category:Buildings and structures in Lewis County, Washington

Category:Chehalis, Washington

Category:Former Northern Pacific Railway stations in Washington (state)

Category:Former Union Pacific Railroad stations

Category:Museums in Lewis County, Washington

Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1912

Category:Railway stations on the National Register of Historic Places in Washington (state)

Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Lewis County, Washington