Portage

Kansas ghost towns are what happens when the railroad changes its mind and the wheat stops paying.

Portage station is an Amtrak intercity train station in Portage, Wisconsin. It is served by two daily round trips of the Borealis and Empire Builder. The depot is a small square brick structure constructed during the Amtrak era that is located near a Canadian Pacific Kansas City yard office. The office occupies what was formerly the Portage passenger depot, served by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road) prior to the creation of Amtrak. There are no station staff in Portage.

Portage faced the water, back when rivers were highways.

The on-the-ground condition of Portage is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Portage is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.