Restoration of the Ridgeway Depot is an opportunity to preserve the last remaining depot on the Military Ridge Trail. All other depots have succumbed to decay or have been torn down. This acquisition and restoration project will allow users of the trail and visitors to the area to experience what it must have been like to wait for the train to arrive. Many people in the area remember the train, bringing relatives to visit and taking their sons off to war. It is important that the depot be restored so that future generations can learn about the history of the railroad in southwestern Wisconsin and understand its importance to the development and prosperity of the area. The Friends of the Military Ridge State Trail envision the depot serving as a museum that will be used to depict the history of the railroad and the areas along the trail and the relationships of the communities to the railroad. We are working on partnerships with local historical societies and railroad organizations to develop a more complete understanding and history of the railroad line. The building will be restored and maintained as it was during the operating life of the depot. The Military Ridge State Trail typically has over 60,000 users each year that take advantage of the scenic, natural, and historic aspects of the trail.

Partial funding for the restoration of the Ridgeway Depot was provided by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

The Friends of the Military Ridge State Trail will open a new exhibit in the historic Ridgeway depot on Sunday September 2, 2007. A mural representing each community along the trail will be the centerpiece of the exhibit. The exhibit will also include pictures of the depots that once stood along the line, as well as other photographs and recollections from neighboring historical societies and people who lived along the railroad line.

This project was funded, in part, by a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities, State of Wisconsin, and the Boldt Company. The Wisconsin Humanities Council supports public programs that engage the people of Wisconsin in the exploration of human cultures, ideas, and values.