Thomson Depot Museum

located on Main Street in Thomson, Illinois

The Thomson Burlington Depot was built in the late 1800's shortly after the completion of the Burlington tracks between Fulton and Savanna in 1886. The wooden frame building is typical of the style used by the C.B. AND Q. in small villages and towns throughout Illinois during those early days of railroad expansion.
The railroad provided a market for melons, grain and cattle. The railroad brought the mail and the news as well as being the primary mode of transportation in those pre-automobile days. It is the last of its kind in Carroll County.

Today the Thomson Depot Museum contains memorabilia spanning more than 100 years!

Now the doors are open again and the remnants of other days are displayed for all who come to see. You can sit on a original railroad benches, stand at the first Thomson Postmaster's desk, touch the telegraphers key that sent messages over the wires, and see the area's history all around you on the walls. Railroad lanterns and tools used by train crews and section crews are on exhibit along with a compleat Burlington conductor's uniform.

The Depot Museum opens for the season on Memorial Day Weekend until October.
It hours are from 1:00PM to 4:00PM Friday - Sunday
There is no admission charge, however donations are accepted.

This Web Site is sponsored by the:
Thomson Chamber of Commerce
Questions or comments please click on the E-Mail link below, or call the Thomson House Villager at (815)259-7378 where phone inquires will be accepted and forwarded to the Thomson Chamber of Commerce, if they can't be answered immediately.