Minnesota Transportation Museum

Built by James J. Hill and the Great Northern Railway in 1907, the Jackson Street Roundhouse, a former steam engine maintenance facility, is home to the Minnesota Transportation Museum. The museum hosts exhibits abut local and regional railway and bus history, features an operation roundhouse turntable, allows visitors to see the restoration of historic railway operating equipment, and offers train rides every Saturday. The museum hosts several events throughout the year, including Tots & Trains, Roundhouse on Tap brewery tastings, and Music in the Museum. On Saturdays and Sundays during the months of May through October, the museum holds Brunch Train Rides, Pizza Train Rides, Dinner Train Rides, and Excursion Train Rides.

The Jackson Street Roundhouse, which houses the museum, was originally a steam engine maintenance facility operated by the Great Northern Railroad Company. Built-in 1907, it was constructed by Minnesota mogul James J. Hill to replace the wooden engine house and create a turntable that spins the train in its desired direction. The roundhouse played an important part in Minnesota’s economic and cultural development, allowing for increased mobility as the state was developing in the early 20th century. 

The roundhouse was sold in 1960 and remolded into a warehouse and industrial building; the tracks and turntables were removed. The Minnesota Transportation Museum bought the building in 1986 and restored it as an operating roundhouse. In 2001 the turntable was reopened with a connection to the BNSF railway which runs through St. Paul. The museum officially opened in 1999 with 20 of the 25 original train stalls remaining. 

The museum holds over 50 vintage train cars and allows visitors to ride on a 100-year-old train car on Saturdays. In 2024 the historic Justus Ramsey house was deconstructed and moved to the museum. The house is being used as an exhibit for Black railroad workers who lived in the house while working on Minnesota railroads. 

"About." Minnesota Transportation Museum. July 14, 2015. http://www.transportationmuseum.org/about.

McClure , Jane. Minnesota Transportation Museum, Saint Paul Historical . Accessed March 1st, 2025. https://saintpaulhistorical.com/items/show/61.

Jackson Street Roundhouse, Minnesota Transportation Museum. Accessed March 1st, 2025. https://www.trainride.org/jacksonstreetroundhouse/.