The railroad through Lowden was built by a company known as the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railroad Co. The line between Clinton and Cedar Rapids was completed in 1858. In 1864 this railroad was consolidated with other small lines and came under the management of the Chicago and North Western Railroad Co. This line later became known as part of a coast to coast road. The double tracks were completed in 1891 and in 1908 the automatic safety block system was installed across the county.
Lowden being halfway between Clinton and Cedar Rapids, the company built a pump house and supply tak [tank] here. About 50 years ago an overhead coal chute was built east of the depot. The first wood water tank was replaced by a steel tank.
The first depot, early settlers claimed, stood south of the track. This burned and another was erected north of the track, west of where the present depot stands. In early days there was a park south of the tracks with beautiful flowers and benches. A common pastime was to go to the station at train time, especially Sunday afternoons, to see the people come and go. Following the great advance of the automobile travel by train gradually lessened.
With the coming of the diesels the need for coal and water has ceased and the coal chutes, supply tank, etc., have slowly disappeared.
Earl V. Kross is Lowden’s present depot agent. Joe Musel, now of San Mateo, California, served many years in that capacity. The railroad has provided employment for a number of men here through the years, with Herman Wiese having completed the most years of steady employment at the present time. Mr. Wiese has completed 39 years with the company. George Jorgenson, Otto Hilscher, and Julius Gottschalk are among Lowden’s retired railroad workers.