(rshsdepot) Winterville, NC

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From The Daily Reflector.
 
Bernie Wagenblast
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
Winterville seeks to bring former  railroad depot back to the town

By _Brock Letchworth_ 
(http://www.reflector.com/local/content/news/stories/2007/12/31/mailto:bletchworth_@_coxnc.com) 
The Daily  Reflector
Monday, December 31, 2007 
Winterville officials are trying to bring a piece of the town's history back  
home. 
The Winterville Historical and Arts Society has joined forces with the  
Winterville Chamber of Commerce to raise money for a project which will return a  
railroad depot to the town. 
Originally known as Woodrack, Winterville once had a reputation for being a  
railroad town, Tony Moore, town alderman and president of the chamber of  
commerce, said. The relocation of the depot would be a nice addition and a way  
for people to remember Winterville's roots, he said. 
"It is historical because that is how Winterville started, around the  
railroad," Moore said. "I think the depot would be a nice cultural arts  center." 
Officials believe it will take about $200,000 to move the depot from the Pitt 
 County Fairgrounds where it has been a part of the Village of Yesteryear for 
the  past couple of decades. The town is purchasing a spot on the corner of 
Railroad  and Depot streets for the depot's new home. 
"There is a special connection to the railroad for this town because this was 
 the place trains would stop to refuel, and it was the high point," Bill  
Whisnant, town manager, said. "Facilities like the depot will probably never  
exist again so it would be great to have it for this area." 
Whisnant said a large portion of the cost will involve moving utility lines,  
traffic lights and other obstacles to make way for the trip across town.  
Officials have been relying on donations, but raffles and other fundraisers  
planned are planned to help the cause. The town will pursue state and federal  
grants as well, he said. 
Nearly $40,000 has been raised for the project so far, according to Moore,  
who said Vernon White, a former state senator, paid to have the depot moved to  
the fairgrounds after it went unused for several years. Winterville records 
show  that White paid $12,000 at that time. 
Fair officials have since decided the Village of Yesteryear is not being  
utilized the way they envisioned so they asked any towns or historians  
interested in preserving the pieces of Pitt County history there to help in  relocating 
them. 
Anyone interested in finding out more about the project can contact the  
Winterville Historical and Arts Society at 355-2149. 
Brock Letchworth can be contacted at 329-9574 or  bletchworth_@_coxnc.com.



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