The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe depot was constructed in 1880 as part of the Manhattan, Burlingame, Alma Railway which provided connecting service between Burlingame and Manhattan, Kansas. In 1898 the railroad suffered financial collapse, and in the reorganization, 22-miles of the track between Alma and Manhattan was discontinued and removed. In 1974 the ATSF closed the line, and the track and depots were sold.