Creston sprang into life as a railroad town, built on the "summit" of the high prairie, where B & M officials pitched their surveying camp one night in 1868. This Crest was the high point on the Burlington line between the two great rivers, the Missouri and Mississippi, hence the name "Creston."

Having chosen Creston for its division point, the railroad (now the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe) brought its machine shops, roundhouse and a rip-roaring, brawling construction camp to the new town. The character of Creston soon changed and the town was incorporated in 1871. This created permanence and stability, and Creston became a good place to live, work and play.

A new railroad station was built on Adams Street at Maple in 1899, replacing the original structure on Pine Street. The huge, imposing three-story structure served passengers for 69 years. The depot was renovated in 1978 to serve as a City Municipal Building. The old machine shop building was flattened in a tornado in 1946. The remainder of the roundhouse burned down in 1981.

A Union County Court House was built in 1952 on the corner of Pine and Mills Streets. In 1903, the government built a Federal Court House at North Maple and Mills, with the Post Office on the first floor. A new Post Office is now located at 300 South Elm.
 

The Union County Historical Society operates a historical complex in the south end of McKinley Park. The village is composed of 16 buildings including a general store, church, school, railroad caboose and water tower, harness shop, barber shop, blacksmith shop, fire station, machine building, mill house, log cabin, house and barn. A museum is set a short distance apart, so as not to detract from the village aspect. The historical complex is open daily, seven days a week, June through Labor Day weekend, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call 641-782-4247 for more information.

Visit the Frank Phillips Information Center located on Highway 34 West. The renovated Phillips 66 Gasoline Station was built in 1931 and was one of the first operating Phillips stations in Iowa. The center is open for individuals wanting information on Creston and Union County. The information center is open May 19 to October 18 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and some Sunday afternoons.For more information please call 641-782-7021.

The Creston Restored Depot signifies Creston’s railroad heritage.The depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.Inside and out you can see the buildings rich heritage.A Presidential Doll Collection depicting all first ladies up through 1996 in their inaugural gowns can also be found on display in the Depot.The Creston Model Railroad Club has also set up a working train display in the Memorial Room of the Dept.

The Depot is located at 116 West Adams in Creston.

For more information about Creston's History contact Union County Historical Society President Don Mosman at 641-782-4352.