Lens on History: Not exactly the Shady Rest

5th street.jpg — Not exactly the Shady Rest It had to be unnerving at the time to be driving on North Broadway and seeing a train 30 feet from the street. It was then that you realized the train looked like the Hooterville Cannonball. In 1966, investors from St. Paul purchased the abandoned Chicago and Northwestern passenger depot on North Broadway. Closed since 1959, the depot would receive a major remodel that included an actual train that served as part of the dining area. When the Depot House opened in February of 1967, it was one of the most unique restaurants in the country and was enjoyed by guests from around the world. In 1990, instead of observing the 100th anniversary of the Victorian Era depot, the city of Rochester demolished it so Fifth Street NW could be extended to Broadway. Still, to this day, you have to wonder if Billie Jo, Bobby Jo and Betty Jo were skinny dippin� in that water tower.

By Lee Hilgendorf, <a href="mailto:History Center of Olmsted County">History Center of Olmsted County</a>

March 29, 2016 at 12:27 PM

It had to be unnerving at the time, to be driving on North Broadway and seeing a train 30 feet from the street. It was then that you realized the train looked like the Hooterville Cannonball .

In 1966, investors from St. Paul purchased the abandoned Chicago and Northwestern passenger depot on North Broadway. Closed since 1959, the depot would receive a major remodel that included an actual train that served as part of the dining area. When the Depot House opened in February 1967, it was one of the most unusual restaurants in the country and was enjoyed by guests from around the world.

In 1990, instead of observing the 100th anniversary of the Victorian Era depot, the city of Rochester demolished it so Fifth Street Northwest could be extended to Broadway.

Still, to this day, you have to wonder if Billie Jo, Bobby Jo and Betty Jo were skinny dippin' in that water tower.

Depot House1.jpg — Not exactly the Shady Rest It had to be unnerving at the time to be driving on North Broadway and seeing a train 30 feet from the street. It was then that you realized the train looked like the Hooterville Cannonball. In 1966, investors from St. Paul purchased the abandoned Chicago and Northwestern passenger depot on North Broadway. Closed since 1959, the depot would receive a major remodel that included an actual train that served as part of the dining area. When the Depot House opened in February of 1967, it was one of the most unique restaurants in the country and was enjoyed by guests from around the world. In 1990, instead of observing the 100th anniversary of the Victorian Era depot, the city of Rochester demolished it so Fifth Street NW could be extended to Broadway. Still, to this day, you have to wonder if Billie Jo, Bobby Jo and Betty Jo were skinny dippin� in that water tower.