Belleville, WI: Decrepit/IC Depot

(Satellite)

This town was on the IC Madison Branch, which was abandoned in 1981.

Dave Martens posted
Illinois Central depot at Belleville, WI - never seen this view before. Depot is being restored in recent years. [This was posted Jan 2026. So why do I have "Lost" in the title?]

Catherine Howley posted
Hello! I am doing research on the Belleville Train Depot, was part of Illinois Central Railroad, and the nearby historic Stewart Tunnel. Any links, or contacts are greatly appreciated! If there are any photos, stories, memoriabilia to share please drop them here or send me a message. Thank you!
Jim Kelling shared

Andre Wehrle commented on Chatherine's post
Depot days 1999:

 

Scott Janz posted
Illinois Central Depot Belleville, Wisconsin. Postmarked 8-25-14.

Locomotive Jordan posted three photos with the comment: "April 25, 1999, my friend the late Mark Stanek and fellow N.A.R.C.O.A. members ran across the former Illinois Central R.R. Freeport, IL. to Madison, WI. line. Here we view the town of Belleville, WI. in all three photos. Out of my collection."

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Dennis DeBruler commented on the above post
The depot is extant: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sXYd7WPe5ur5Qofo6.

Thomas Scoville posted
The Illinois Central depot at Belleville on July 21, 2026. Thomas Dyrek photo.
it's currently[July 2026] being restored.

Dave Martens: The IC's brick depots in SW WI are great. This depot will be very nice again once restored

Jack Franklin shared

Dave Martens: Local group is attempting restoration

Joe Turner commented on Thomas' post
The Depot looked in better shape, back in 2005.

Joe Turner commented on Thomas' post
Just need to get the tracks re-laid, so those grain trains can start rolling again, through Freeport, IL.

The grain elevators have been replaced by a more modern further north along the former-IC right-of-way.

Satellite

Unlike a rectangle a block further south, this topo did not draw the rectangle for the depot parallel to the tracks. A 1962 topo map was worse.

1923/23 New Glarus Quad @ 62,500

safe_image for The Yards at Belleville Station
Once a depot for Illinois Central, the Belleville Depot is being sold and developed into something for the community. Presentations were held Monday 10/21 and comments are being recieved. Visit the Village of Belleville (WI) website for full information. Website below for what (we are hoping) we can do with it. Check it out!