The Cheney Depot Society is rolling along

The weather is heating up and so are the plans to move the Cheney Train Depot to a new home on First Street.

It has been a long winter, but just as with Mother Nature, preparations for spring and summer have been going on during the gray days and snowy weather. For over two years now, the Cheney Depot Society has been steadily working toward relocating the historic Cheney Depot from its current location between two sets of railroad tracks where it currently sits, to a prominent location on First Street.

Researching relocation sites, holding fundraisers and increasing project visibility through newspaper articles, booths at community events, donation jars at supporting businesses and displays at the Cheney and Medical Lake libraries has helped to heighten awareness around the need to preserve this important place in our heritage.

Folks are stepping up and rallying around to save our historical passenger railroad hub from the wrecking ball, but none more than former Cheney resident, Dr. Peter Hansen. Hansen has put up a $500,000 matching grant and increased the project’s opportunity for success by assuring that every $1 raised will mean $2 for the project.

Between 1881-1972, tens of thousands of travelers, among them college students, movie stars and public political figures (including President Harry Truman and Cheney Mayor, Clarence Martin — who was both Cheney mayor and Washington’s governor simultaneously) were welcomed to Cheney and the West Plains by train. When the station was closed in 1972, it fell into disrepair and was eventually scheduled for demolition.

Burlington Northern has offered it to the Cheney Depot Society under the condition that it will be relocated and restored. The society has established a non-profit organization for that purpose and has been busily working toward raising the money and in-kind donations that will turn the goal into a reality.

Fundraising to move and restore the depot is a heavy lift, with $160,000 needed to be raised for the next phase, but with the extraordinary $500,000 matching grant from Dr. Hansen lightening the load — and doubling the benefit of every gift — the society is confident that the Cheney depot can and will be saved.

Last fall the CDS held a “Murder on the Orient Express” dinner theater experience by partnering with the Cheney Marketplace Bakery & Eatery and supporters from the cast at Stage West Community Theater. It was a fun community building event that not only raised matching funds but brightened the spirits of all who attended.

Other local businesses throughout the community are also hosting collection jars and project information prominently displayed at their checkout counters for easy customer donating. You can find them at Owl Pharmacy, Mason Jar, Cheney Marketplace, Copy Junction, Cheney Feed and Tack, Mitchell’s Harvest Foods and Visionhaus Optometry. More fundraisers are planned, and as always, more volunteers are needed. Donations, both monetary and in-kind will be matched by the Hansen grant and are tax deductible as well.

An “angel” donation from a company that could move the building the few blocks to First Street would also qualify for both the tax deduction, the match and additionally be honored with the highest level of recognition at the depot’s new home. To learn more and to donate your time or hard earned dollars please go to http://www.cheneydepot.org or send written correspondence or checks to Cheney Depot Society, 1922 First St. PMB 140, Cheney WA 99004. Or, if you would like to host a presentation or put on a fundraiser, please call Bonnie Mager at (509) 235-1585.

Help spread the word. It’s time to Save Our Station and restore it to its rightful place as a vital hub of West Plains heritage.

Bonnie Mager is a member of the Cheney Depot Society.