The Mendota Museum & Historical Society's Mission is to promote the preservation of the history of Mendota, its railroads and recognizing agricultural heritage through three museums, the Breaking the Prairie Museum, the Hume-Carnegie Museum, and the Union Depot Railroad Museum.

The purpose of the Union Depot Railroad Museum is to preserve and share with others the Mendota area's rich railroad history which includes the CB&Q, the Illinois Central, and the Milwaukee Road. We hope to accomplish this through providing an assortment of varied railroad related experiences including interactive displays and fresh programs and displays.

The CB&Q steam engine # 4978 on display at the Union Depot Railroad Museum was built in 1923 at the original cost of $55,296.00. This locomotive was used in service at Mendota. The waycar or caboose was built in 1911 at the cost of $1,582.72.