Osceola is the closest Amtrak station to Des Moines, Iowa's capital and most populous city, which is about 50 miles (80 km) to the north.

The station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Depot.

Designed in the Prairie Style, the reddish-brown brick depot has a low slung, horizontal profile reinforced by the limestone water table and belt courses that wrap around the building.

Working with an architect specializing in historic preservation, the city planned a multi-phase restoration of the depot and parking area to create an intermodal transportation hub to better serve Amtrak and intercity bus riders.

This project included the installation of a new roof, reconstruction of a damaged chimney, restoration of existing windows, installation of new historically appropriate storm windows, manufacture of new entry doors that match the originals, re-pointing of the mortar that holds the bricks in place, and general rehabilitation and cleaning of the brick and stone surfaces.