Built in 1913, the Midland Continental Railroad Depot is the only remaining depot of the short line railroad that operated between 1912 and 1970. While it was intended to link grain markets from Canada to Texas, only 77 miles of track were constructed between Wimbledon and Edgeley, ND. The Depot is famously known as the childhood home to renowned jazz singer, composer, and actress, Peggy Lee from 1934-1937 where her father, Marvin Egstrom was the depot agent.
In 2012, JLG completed a restoration to reinforce the aging Depot, now on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the Museum is open to the public and brimming with exhibits that tell the story of the Midland Continental while tracing the career of Peggy Lee and her connection to Wimbledon. The first floor of the Museum invites tourgoers to revisit the past in a common passenger waiting room, women’s retiring room, telegraph office, records storage room, and freight room. The second floor interprets the North Dakota home life of Peggy Lee and her family in the original living quarters, including Lee’s photos, memorabilia, music, and iconic dresses. With the revitalization of the Museum, visitors are given a backstage pass to an educational, interactive, and entertaining experience that manifests Lee’s dreams from the sunsets of North Dakota to the bright lights of Hollywood.
