It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 as the Great Northern Passenger Depot.

[2] The Great Northern Railway promoted Alexandria as a tourist destination, with brochures and attractive fares, and the growing tourist traffic made it necessary to replace the original wood-frame depot.

The Alexandria depot had mosaic tile floors, birch woodwork, enameled brick wainscoting, and comfortable furniture, and it was located conveniently next to a nearby park.

The depot's last train; Burlington Northern's " Western Star " was not continued by Amtrak & made its last run on April 30, 1971.

Burlington Northern sold the building in 1984, and its new owners completed a restoration and reopened it the next year as the Depot Express Restaurant and Lounge.