(rshsdepot) Huntington, NY

["Bernie Wagenblast" <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

From Newsday.
 
Link to original story and photo at:
http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/huntington/blog/2009/05/town_l
irr_mark_100th_anniversa.html 
 
Bernie Wagenblast
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Town, LIRR mark 100th anniversary of station
 
By A.J. Carter

Supervisor Frank P. Petrone, Long Island Rail Road President Helena Williams
and the Town Council on Tuesday marked the 100th anniversary of the LIRR's
Huntington Station building, unveiling improvements to the building and an
exhibit tracing the building's history.

The ceremony marked the culmination of months of work by the town and the
LIRR in cooperation with a community group, Friends of the Huntington Train
Station, which has undertaken beautification projects around the station and
provided advice on the renovation plans. 

"This building is a testament to how public transportation is central to an
area's development. The train station was an important hub for travelers a
century ago and it remains one today. We are grateful to the railroad and to
Friends of the Huntington Train station for the necessary projects that add
to the building's usefulness and enjoyment for the thousands of people who
pass through this station each day,' Petrone said.

"It's very fitting that we recognize the centennial of this historic station
building at the same time we are celebrating the LIRR's 175th anniversary
this year," said LIRR President Helena Williams.

"We at the Long Island Rail Road recognize the role this station and the
railroad has played in the growth of Huntington. The improvements recently
made to the building, along with the input and support provided by the local
community, should ensure good customer service for many years to come."
Willliams added.

The LIRR recently renovated the interior of the 1909-vintage building. The
work included the replacement of windows, doors, the installation of new
lighting, ceiling fans and oak trim finishes. A new unisex ADA-compliant
restroom was also installed replacing the outdated restrooms. The interior
was also painted with the colors selected by members of the Friends of
Huntington Train Station

The group, which began working with the Town and the LIRR last fall, has as
its primary objective to improve the overall aesthetics at the station, with
the help of friends, neighbors and other volunteers, together with existing
efforts being undertaken by the LIRR. 

Last fall, a local church pastor, Rev. Brian McRay, along with his
congregation from LifePoint Church, headed up an effort in coordination with
the town, to paint, weed, and re-landscape two triangular areas in the front
area of the train station. LIRR staff, under the direction of Branch Manager
Jann Sanicola, also provided additional cleaning services to the station. In
addition, group member Dr. Laas Ramos of "Huntington Station Happy Helpers"
led an effort in which several hundred tulip bulbs were planted along New
York Avenue, the main thoroughfare of the Huntington Station business
district, directly adjacent to the train station. 
Kim D'Ambrosio, chairperson of the Friends of Huntington Train Station,
said, "The Huntington Station building is an important public structure
within our community. We appreciate the Long Island Rail Road's quick
positive response to our concerns." 

The original Huntington LIRR station building was located south of the
existing structure as part of the start of LIRR service to the area in 1868.
The station's location, two miles south of the then village center, resulted
from a disagreement between LIRR President Oliver Charlick and a wealthy
local family, the Joneses. 

A grade crossing elimination project in 1908 and 1909 to allow for the
operation of trolleys of the Huntington Electric Railroad under the LIRR at
New York Avenue (now Route 110) led to the relocation and reconstruction of
the station building at its present site. The new station location also
served as a terminal for the trolley line that operated between Halesite and
Amityville until 1927.

The exhibit celebrating the building's history will be on display in the
waiting room through the end of the year. Other exhibits are being planned.

A.J. Carter is the town's public information officer.

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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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