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(rshsdepot) Robins, NC
From The Pilot.
Bernie Wagenblast
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Robbins Working With Railroad on Longer Lease for Depot
Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railroad is helping Robbins and Northern Moore
Tomorrow (NMT) negotiate a longer lease -- perhaps even an outright gift to
the town -- of the Old Elise Depot.
Robbins plans to rejuvenate the depot with a grant from the N.C. Department
of Transportation (NCDOT).
Plans have been drawn, and bids will be sought, but the town won't spend
much money until there is more security about the old building. George Kecatos
and Brian Allen met with manager Carl Callowell of the Aberdeen Carolina &
Western Railroad (ACW) to discuss changing the lease agreement at the very least
to a much longer term and at a minimal fee.
"Callowell was very cooperative and thinks we can move forward," Kecatos
said. "He is going to speak with representatives of Norfolk Southern Railroad
about altering the lease agreement."
It is projected that construction will begin soon on the depot. When it does
begin, NMT's fundraising group hopes to be ready with a fundraiser to begin
raising $23,000 still needed to match the second and most recent grant from
NCDOT.
"We need your ideas and help," said NMT's Phyllis Lambert. "We are in the
brainstorming phase for the next fundraiser. Please explore some possibilities,
and let me know if you can volunteer to help our small group."
Successful fundraisers already conducted include sale of woven tapestry
throws, soliciting donations by mail and word of mouth from businesses and
families with a Robbins interest -- a block party/kick off with musical
entertainment, pottery, cake walk, and so forth -- raffle tickets for a woven tapestry
throw -- booths at the High Falls Car Show, the Carthage Buggy Festival and
Farmers Day -- a fashion show.
"Future fundraisers that have been mentioned are a golf tournament, a train
ride from Robbins to Star, Biscoe, Candor, West End, Pinehurst, and back with
entertainment and dinner on board -- a local supper -- a train ride from
Aberdeen to Robbins with potters displaying and selling their art in the depot
when guests arrive with entertainment and dinner on board, a musical
entertainment at North Moore High School and asking descendants of some of the first
settlers of Mechanics Hill to donate," Lambert said. "We are at the
brainstorming, planning stage at this point.
"We need to find one project to focus on next that a group of people young
and old can get excited about and help to carry through. Send ideas and
suggestions to me so we can work together to make wonderful things happen in
Robbins."
The railroad has been working to repair the trestle east of downtown Robbins
so rail traffic can resume in that direction. At the recent Spring Music
Fest, the railroad sent a locomotive and cars down to the center of Robbins
where they remained on display as box car derby racers pounded downhill in
pouring rain before a laughing, cheering crowd of onlookers.
Robbins is joining with the Seagrove Area Potters Association to support
National Tourism Week, with runs through May 18. The theme this year is
"Discovering Great American Traditions." To celebrate, the RobbinsAlive! Tourism
Committee is making special plans throughout the week to encourage travel to
Robbins.
Kirk Tours and Transportation of Pinehurst will conduct sightseeing and
historical motor coach tours through the Robbins area. They will bring people up
along the Pottery Highway on N.C. 705, through pottery country, making stops
at several potteries on their way to Seagrove.
A stop is planned in Robbins to let tourists see the Deep River Coffee Co.
and the Old Robbins Depot (circa 1900) and John L. Frye's Departments Store
(circa 1896), the oldest continually operating retail business in the county.
Allen will be on hand to talk about the Old Depot Rejuvenation Project and
relate some of the history of the Depot. At John L. Frye's Department Store
visitors will see old photographs and drawings of the store and shop while
visiting Robbins.
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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 #1729
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org