Union Pacific Railroad Complex

The Union Pacific Railroad Complex is a historic industrial site in Evanston featuring brick and wooden structures built in the early 1900s. The main facilities include a 27-stall roundhouse for locomotive servicing, machine shop, gas building, storehouse, and mineral building, with additional offices and a former company store.

The complex opened in 1871 as a maintenance hub between Green River and Ogden, spurring rapid growth in Evanston. Key buildings were constructed between 1912 and 1913, reflecting the expansion of rail operations in the region.

The complex brought railway workers and skilled tradespeople together, transforming the town into a vital transportation hub during the railroad era. The site shows how trains shaped the growth and identity of communities across the West.

Walking through the site lets you explore restored industrial buildings and get a sense of how rail operations and repairs worked. The grounds are straightforward to navigate, with preserved brick and wooden structures clearly visible throughout the property.

Seventeen different railroad companies used these workshops for repairs, making it a key junction point in the western rail network. At its peak, the complex employed over 300 workers, making it the town's largest employer for many years.