La Plata, Missouri, has a population of about 1300 people, but by virtue of being located along the route of Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, it has an Amtrak station stop. The town’s station was built in 1945 by the Santa Fe Railroad, replacing a deteriorating 1887-built structure. Built in an Art Deco style, the station does not have that "typical" railroad depot look. This station is the tenth busiest Amtrak station of the twelve Amtrak stations in Missouri, used by an average of about 30 passengers per day. The station is seen here from the passing Amtrak #4, the eastbound Southwest Chief, on September 18, 1997.
Oh the stories these special buildings could tell. Originally the brains of the rails they monitored, working to insure effecient rail service for our nation! A tribute!
