(rshsdepot) Washington, NC

[jdent1_@_optonline.net]

Monday, May 3, 2004 
Local News 
Depot's 100th anniversaryon right track

By MIKE VOSS Contributing Editor
Railroad aficionados can expect a special treat May 8 when the building that housed the former Atlantic Coast Line depot in Washington celebrates its 100th anniversary.

The celebration begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. The celebration begins with the placing of a marker at the depot's Gladden Street entrance. The former depot now houses the offices of the Beaufort County Arts Council.

The former freight warehouse adjacent to the former depot turns 98 years old this year. That structure now houses the Washington Civic Center.

Plans call for Washington Mayor L. Stewart Rumley and other officials to unveil the marker commemorating the anniversary. The depot and former warehouse will be open to the public and "hopefully, the caboose also," said Wanda Johnson, executive director of the Arts Council. Model trains will be set up and Atlantic Coastline Railroad memorabilia and other railroad-related items and photographs will be displayed during the open house, Johnson added.

"I think it's fun to watch model trains. I think that will attract young and old audiences," Johnson said.

The Wilmington Railroad Museum plans to have some of its exhibits on display at the celebration. Sadie Ann Hood, executive director of the museum, informed Johnson she will be bringing two lanterns, a rail tong, a switch lamp and a 1968 Atlantic Coast Line map. The museum will donate the map, a plaque containing information about the ACL train that traveled through Washington and a copy of the book "A History of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company" to the Arts Council.

The Arts Council is seeking additional railroad-related items and artifacts from area residents to include in the celebration.

"If they can bring that in next Thursday and Friday (April 29-30), we would like to display it," Johnson said.

Among the items to be displayed are a motorized rail car owned by Earl Barber, a model train display by Al Gerard, a safe once used by the Atlantic Coast Line and photographs by former Daily News photographer Ric Carter. His display will include photographs taken by Carter as he rode area trains.

The Southside High School band is scheduled to perform during the celebration.

Judy Meier Jennette, a member of the Washington City Council and former director of the Arts Council, will serve as master of ceremonies for the celebration.

"She was here during all the changes. I think it's appropriate for her to be here," Johnson said.

Construction on the 14,000-square-foot depot started in 1903, about 13 years after city residents approved issuing $10,000 in municipal bonds to buy property for a terminal for the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad. Trains from Kinston, Greenville, Rocky Mount, Tarboro, Weldon and Plymouth met at the Washington junction and exchanged passengers and mail.

John Rodman, a city planner who works closely with the city's historic preservation efforts, said the depot cost $12,000 to build. He's been unable to determine the cost of building the warehouse.

Rodman said the Atlantic Coastline Railroad stopped using the depot in 1970. The city acquired the property in 1976. The city began its quest to renovate the depot and warehouse on July 11, 1976, according to city documents. The warehouse was renovated in the mid-1980s. The depot was renovated in the early 1990s.
 
 


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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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