Celebrating one of the more iconic casinos in Fallon, The Depot Casino and Diner, and its 37 years of continuous business along with the rich heritage of “The Depot” itself.
Construction on the train depot began in 1905 and was completed in 1907. Senator Warren W. Williams, from Fallon, donated 10 acres of land for the depot to be built on. Southern Pacific Railroad wanted a train depot in Fallon to help grow local commerce. Senator Williams wrote a bill to move the county seat from Stillwater to Fallon, and in 1906, this was finalized.
Sadly, the train depot would quit accepting train passengers in 1960, and the building would be empty for about 20 years. An entrepreneur purchased the building, which was moved to Kaiser Street in early 1980. The train depot would be transformed into a bar and restaurant, using the original building and the train depot dock. The business would never really prosper. The building was then sold to three partners, one having access to land and the others having a financial background. Together, they purchased the 80-year-old building and relocated it to a better location.
On May 1, 1987, the old train depot moved again, down Williams Avenue, headed to its new location. This would be a coordinated effort among several Fallon entities and Churchill County to move the building to its current location at 875 W. Williams Avenue.
Moving a building that weighs 65 tons, made almost entirely of redwood, along with the dock, weighing in at 50 tons, was no easy task. The decision to bring the building down Williams Avenue from Kaiser Street was made because the building had to be backed into its new location, and the street was wider, making it easier to maneuver. Of course, in 1987, there was nowhere near today's traffic. The dock was moved to the parking area on the west side of Tedford Lane, where it was repurposed, along with railway cars, for storage.
In 37 years, the old train station depot has undergone several renovations, including adding and later upgrading utilities, heating, and cooling, and adding space for the up-to-date casino, restaurant, and bar areas.
The three partners, Ralph Mills, David Widmer, and Mike Lister, are proud to invite customers to help celebrate Fallon Depot Diner and Casino’s 37th anniversary of continuous operation on November 23, 2024.
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