Noyes Depot

Hudson Leighton from the GN Goat shared with me these great photos of the Noyes Depot* and border crossing area, from the early days until 1970; I found a newer image online myself to finish it all off, not sure how new, but it looks fairly recent. Hudson also shared stats on the depot, which I found rather fascinating since my Dad worked there for many years. It's also interesting to me because it was one of many such towns across the country lining the US/Canadian border that ensured trade between our countries over generations, and still do.

This is an extract from the stats file...

GN RPC records:

Noyes is in Valuation Section # 224 - which starts just north of Barnesville went to Crookston and ended at Noyes. Anything I have ended with BN merger in 1970

A depot was built in 1922 - 30' x 138' frame, w/ customs & immigration quaters.
In 1924 is was extended - 10 x 20 to provide room for an immegration office
1944 building was insulated and additional lighting installed
1948 - building was rearranged to provide room for R.E.A.
1952 - toilets were installed
1953 - new lighting provided & fuel oil heater
1966 - remodeled removing 32' of same and place concrete foundation on remaining building
1967 - new depot built using wood from old depot

This is a joint use building w/ SOO Line.

I found this online - a summary of original proposal to close Noyes port and consolidate port entry for rail to be covered by Pembina port. The latest word about line abandonments does not list the line going up to Noyes into Canada as such, but other lines in the region are being abandoned for economic reasons due to decreasing traffic.
Emerson has its supporters also for their recent loss of the port just north of Noyes. I didn't realize until I read this article that "In Emerson, the history of protection is not restricted to the presence of Canada Customs. Known as Manitoba's First City, Emerson was home to the original headquarters of the Northwest Mounted Police. Like many border towns, Emerson has a proud heritage of standing on guard for thee...."

THE END:  In circa 2020, the old depot, on the original site throughout all its years, was demolished to make way for a new combined-agency building [U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) , and U.S. Customs & Immigration Enforcement (ICE)/Soo-Line/BNSF/CP]

In 2005, in anticipation of the 2006 Noyes port-of-entry closing, a Federal ruling stated, "...CBP is extending the limits of the Port of Pembina to encompass the railroad yard located at Noyes, Minnesota, owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. The Port of Pembina will assume responsibility for processing trains as they arrive at Noyes. However, other traffic must utilize the border crossing within the City of Pembina and will no longer be processed at Noyes. The office facility at Noyes will continue to be used to support the needs of several Border Patrol agents and ICE agents. Security gates and surveillance cameras have also been installed at the Port of Noyes to ensure continued remote monitoring of that location by the Port of Pembina." After 2006, CBP and ICE maintained staff on an as-needed basis in the old depot.  Drones have also been added to assist in border security.

* An interesting piece of railroad trivia about the Noyes Depot is, it's the only depot in Kittson County still on its original site...