Cedar Falls was known as a railroad city in the late 19th century, when four lines connected here; the Dubuque and Pacific, now the Illinois Central (1861), the Cedar Falls and Minnesota (1870), the Chicago Great Western (1884) and the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern (1863).

The Rock Island Depot was originally used by the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad. It was used by the six passenger and six freight trains that once operated out of Cedar Falls n a north-south route. It was renovated and served as a restaurant known as the Depot from 1972 - 1986.

It presently serves as a bank.