Located alongside the Burlington Northern tracks, the Depot serves as a visual reminder of the importance of the railroad in the economy and social life of Ritzville.  For over sixty years, passenger travel and shipments of freight to distant markets went by train.  The railroad was instrumental to the settlement of Ritzville by transporting crops to national and international markets, and in bringing settlers to the area.

The Depot was built by the Northern Pacific Railroad company in 1910.  It is a brick structure built in the classic mission style.  Its exterior features overhanging eaves, a gable roof, bellcast eaves, and stepped parapets with stone copping.  The interior is remarkably well preserved and includes terrazzo floors and tile wainscoating.

Rail travel was the primary mode of transport around the turn of the century.  At one time, eight to ten passenger trains stopped in Ritzville each day.  Area residents could ride the train to Spokane early in the morning and return home that evening.

The depot was built with Gentlemen's and Ladies' waiting rooms separated by a corridor containing the ticket office.  For commercial interests there was a freight & baggage room with a separate heated holding area for fragile goods. 

The indoor restrooms at the depot were among the first in town and were especially popular with children and their parents.  The ladies room still has the original tank on the water closet. 

The Gentlemen's waiting room is now the lobby of the museum.  It was used by salesmen and other male travelers, and contains one of the rooms original benches

The ticketing office features railroad memorabilia and a working telegraph machine.

The Ladies' waiting room displays promotional items from many past Ritzville businesses, an exhibit on Mt. St. Helens' eruption and its disruption of life in Ritzville, and the town's original telephone switchboard.

In the holding room  is a collection of items from Ritzville's schools and a map showing all the pioneer schools that were once located in the county.

The freight and baggage room has hardly changed from when it was built.  It contains the original plank flooring and visitors can even weigh themselves with the floor scales.