On September 27, 1915, the building was destroyed in an explosion caused by a natural gas leak, which in turn set off dynamite in nearby freight sheds.

Locomotive 1108, which led the Mercy Train, was obtained by the city after it exited service in 1954; it is currently on display in Depot Park.

[2] The rebuilt station was completed in 1917 as a joint effort between the Santa Fe and Rock Island Railroad.

In 1998, Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway, the successor to the original Santa Fe, sold the station and surrounding land, including the REA building, to the city's Main Street Authority for $20,001.

BNSF retained ownership of the track and platform, and it continues to operate from the REA building.