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(rshsdepot) Centralia, WA
Links:
http://www.chronline.com/images/news/news1.jpg (station interior - note
this link will expire later today)
http://www.trainpics.com/PageMill_Resources/Centralia.html (exterior -
recent)
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/amtrak/images/centralstation.jpg (exterior -
recent)
http://www.northwestrailfan.com/pictures/centraliadepot.jpg (exterior -
recent)
Celebrate Railroad Days
Centralia: First salute to railroads includes steam train display, music
vendors
By Amy Emerson
The Chronicle
Centralia will start a new tradition this weekend with the celebration of
the first Centralia Railroad Days, a celebration of the railroad's
contribution to Centralia's history, growth, culture and character.
The festival, which will take place Saturday and Sunday in downtown
Centralia, will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the restored historic
Centralia Railroad Depot, a brass band concert, a steam train exhibit,
street vendors, model railroad displays, a farmers market, free rides on a
vintage trolley, children's games, historic building tours and a variety of
live music throughout the downtown area, including local talent in country,
bluegrass, rock and folk.
"Celebrating Railroad Days can be a good way for the whole family to have
some fun, an enjoyable way to learn about Centralia's history, a good excuse
to come downtown and see all the improvements to the railroad depot and
streetscape, and a very good way to honor all of those who worked so hard
over the last 150 years to make Centralia what it is today," said David
Eatwell, Centralia's downtown economic development coordinator.
The railroad is an important element of Centralia's existence as it was "the
reason George Washington decided to lay out the town, as it provided an
obvious boost to business growth potential," said Eatwell, noting how the
railroad allowed for the local growth of the industries of coal, timber and
agriculture.
"It was the arterial through which the town's life blood flowed," he said.
"And it may very well be that again in the future."
The Railroad Days celebration will kick off with the grand reopening of the
newly restored historic Railroad Depot, a $5 million project.
As a result of the extensive renovation, the depot has been touted as one of
the most beautiful in Western Washington, and a "jewel of the West Coast
rail system." The historic building includes a brick exterior, a tile roof,
heavy oak millwork, a terrazzo floor, ornate ceilings and leaded windows.
It is the showpiece of the downtown business district, a business district
that, because of it's past affiliation with the railroad, is much larger
than other towns of similar size, said Eatwell.
The business district remains, though the lumber mills and mines of old have
been replaced by 350 antique merchants and 52 factory outlet stores.
In Centralia's hey day, the railroad made Centralia into an active
hospitality center, and many community leaders and business people are
hoping those days will return.
In 1912, when the depot was built, 44 passenger trains stopped in Centralia
every day, and passengers were accommodated by 14 bustling hotels along
Tower Avenue. Today, just eight trains stop in Centralia each day.
Yet, modern downtown Centralia retains the ambiance of the 1912 railroad
town it once was, said Eatwell, and the community is working to restore this
ambiance not only through the renovation of the depot, but also the $2.5
million streetscape project. The project includes vintage streetlights,
cobblestone sidewalks, brick streets and park benches.
The hope to transform Centralia into a historic destination spot may be
further assisted by the Washington State Department of Transportation's
20-year plan to increase rail service and eventually have a train stop in
Centralia each hour.
"By celebrating railroad days, we are not just celebrating Centralia's past,
but it's future," said Eatwell.
- ---
Amy Emerson covers energy, business and economic issues for The Chronicle.
She may be reached by e-mail at aemerson_@_chronline.com, or by telephoning
807-8231.
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org
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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #349
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org