50 Years Old: The Train Caboose Behind Austin's Most Famous Bathroom
A 1972 relocation of a condemned rail depot created a dive bar where the women's room remains a preserved historical artifact and social hub.
By Olivia Miller ·
Donn's Depot in Austin operates as a dive bar built inside a former train depot. The venue has maintained its core structure and atmosphere for five decades. The women's restroom, however, has achieved a status that extends beyond the bar's walls.
The bar opened in September 1972. Bob Ogden, a civil engineer, purchased a condemned train depot in McNeil for $300. He paid an additional $2,000 to transport the building to its current location at West Lynn and Fifth streets. Ogden cut the structure in half during the move and reassembled it on the new site.
Ogden initially named the establishment the McNeil Depot Saloon. He later expanded the venue by hauling in old train cars. Matt Adelman, the bar's manager and son of the current namesake, described the construction process as brilliant Lego engineering. One of these vehicles, a caboose, was repurposed as the women's restroom.
Lisa Gargas, a longtime employee, noted that the space retains its original identity. The caboose once traveled down the tracks. Sinks were installed, and the interior was divided to create a lounge area. Gargas described the room as living, functional, historical art. The vertical red and white striped walls, crimson carpet, and wooden chairs remain. Tinsel garland is stapled to the ceiling, and cobwebs persist on the surfaces.
The interior features extensive graffiti. Hundreds of Sharpie marks cover the walls, depicting political figures, names, and anatomical drawings. A central pole, originally used by the train crew to access an upper deck for viewing tracks, now serves as a focal point for conversation. Adelman stated that patrons have long joked the pole is for stripping. This rumor became a legend, with customers sharing stories about the unique fixture.
The bathroom functions as a social space rather than just a facility. Adelman said the bar often becomes crowded, prompting women to use the restroom to socialize. He recalled a customer who broke up with her boyfriend on the couch in the ladies room while being served drinks. Jill Siegel, owner of Lavish Kitchen and Bath, observed that the space invites lingering. She noted that the layers and secrets of the room contribute to its charm. Siegel compared the venue's uniqueness to the singer Cher, stating there is only one of each.
The original equipment remains because the founders chose preservation over modernization. Donn Adelman, who was hired to play piano when the bar opened, recalled a specific instruction from Bob Ogden. Ogden told him not to move a cobweb. He added that if something is not broken, it should not be fixed. Donn Adelman and his wife Arlene took over operations six years after the opening. They renamed the place Donn's Depot. Donn Adelman, now in his 80s, still plays piano most Friday nights. The bar continues to serve customers six nights a week, with the women's room remaining a primary draw.
