54 years of cobwebs: The history of Donn's Depot's famous restroom
A caboose purchased in the 1970s became a social hub, and owners have resisted changes to preserve its original character.
By Renata Mehta ·
Patrons at Donn's Depot in Austin spend time in a women's restroom that functions as much as a lounge as a facility. The space features vertical red and white stripes, worn crimson carpeting, and tinsel garland stapled to the ceiling. The walls are covered in hundreds of Sharpie marks, a feature manager Matt Adelman attributes to the building's history.
The restroom is housed in a vintage caboose that once ran on the MoPac rail line in McNeil. In the 1970s, civil engineer Bob Ogden purchased the original train depot for $300. He paid an additional $2,000 to transport the structure to West Lynn and Fifth streets, where it now operates as a bar. Ogden later acquired old train cars to expand the venue, and one of these, the caboose, was converted into the ladies' room.
Longtime employee Lisa Gargas notes that the space retains its original function as a social area. Sinks were installed, and the interior was divided to create a lounge. A pole that once helped crew members access an upper deck now serves as a focal point for local legend. Adelman said customers often joke that the pole is a stripper pole, a detail that has become part of the bar's lore.
The layout encourages guests to stay. Adelman recalled instances where women broke up with boyfriends in the room and were served drinks while resting on the couches. Jill Siegel, owner of Lavish Kitchen and Bath, described the space as inviting a pause. She noted that the bathroom offers layers and secrets that distinguish it from standard dive bar facilities.
Siegel, who has designed bath spaces for 10 years, credited the location's charm to its history. She compared the restroom to a unique cultural figure, noting that such authenticity cannot be replicated. The bar's current owner, Donn Adelman, hired as a pianist when the venue opened in September 1972, took over the business with his wife Arlene six years later. They renamed the establishment Donn's Depot.
The interior has remained largely unchanged since its conversion. Original equipment is still in place, guided by a directive from the original owner. Donn Adelman recalled Bob Ogden telling him, "Don't move a cobweb." Ogden added, "If it ain't broke, don't break it." This philosophy has preserved the room's character for over five decades.
Adelman, now in his 80s, continues to play piano on most Friday nights. The bar operates six nights a week, drawing customers for the music and the restroom. The combination of the building's origins and its maintained aesthetic has kept the venue a consistent destination for locals and visitors alike.
