Depot celebrates four years back downtown

This week marks a milestone worth celebrating in Fort Madison: four years since Amtrak passengers were welcomed to our historic downtown Santa Fe Depot Complex!
Fort Madison has deep railroad roots, becoming a major rail hub in the late 1800s when the Santa Fe Railway built its bridge across the Mississippi River. For generations, trains and rail workers helped shape the identity of our riverfront community. In 1968, however, passenger service moved to a newer facility in the train yard southwest of downtown. When Amtrak began operations in 1971, it never stopped at the historic depot. For years, riders passing through Fort Madison experienced only a brief five-minute “fresh air break” at the train yard — not exactly a true snapshot of who we are.
After more than a decade of planning, restoration, and persistence, Amtrak officially relocated its stop to the beautifully refurbished Santa Fe Depot on December 15, 2021. For the first time, passengers on the Southwest Chief stepped off the train into the heart of Fort Madison, greeted by historic architecture, sweeping river views, and a welcoming downtown. As the only Iowa stop on the legendary route between Chicago and Los Angeles, Fort Madison proudly represents the entire state to travelers crossing the country by rail.
Today, the Santa Fe Depot Complex is much more than a train stop. It’s home to Amtrak, the North Lee County Historical Society and its museums, and the Fort Madison Tourism Office and Great River Road Interpretive Center — a true hub for locals and visitors alike.
Four years later, thousands of travelers have experienced Fort Madison the way it deserves to be seen: with pride, history, and community on full display.
Chi Eastin is director of the Fort Madison Tourism Board and can be reached at tourism@fortmadison.org