Apex Union Depot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Apex Union Depot
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | SE corner N. Salem St. and Center St., Apex, North Carolina |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1914 |
| Architect | Seaboard Air Line Railway |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002697 |
| Added to NRHP | December 1, 1988 |
The Apex Union Depot is a historic train station located in downtown Apex, North Carolina. It's a key part of the Apex Historic District. Built in 1914, this building once served two different railway companies. Today, it's home to the Apex Visitor's Center and the Apex Chamber of Commerce. You can also rent out its meeting rooms for special events. Right next to the depot, there's a cool 37-foot (11.3 m) Louisville and Nashville Railroad caboose! The Apex Union Depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places in December 1998.
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What is the Apex Union Depot?
The Apex Union Depot was originally a busy place where people caught trains. It was built by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad. Another company, the Durham and Southern Railway, also used the station. This made it a "union" depot, meaning different train lines shared it.
Today, the depot is a community hub. It helps visitors learn about Apex and supports local businesses. It's a great example of how old buildings can be given new life.
Apex: A Town Built by Trains
The town of Apex got its name because it was the highest point on the Chatham Railroad line. This line stretched from Richmond, Virginia, all the way to Jacksonville, Florida. In 1854, the very first Apex railroad station was officially created.
Over the next 20 years, more buildings and homes grew up around the station. Apex officially became a town in 1873. A new, larger train depot was built in 1906 because the town was growing so fast. Sadly, that depot burned down in 1914. The building you see today was built later that same year.
Changes Over Time
During the Great Depression, fewer people traveled by train. By 1934, trains only stopped at the Apex Union Depot four times a day. This decline continued, and the depot eventually closed in the 1960s.
After closing as a train station, the building became the town's library. In 1996, a new library was built. The Apex Chamber of Commerce then worked to fix up the old depot. They turned it into their offices and a visitor's center. Even today, freight trains and Amtrak's Silver Star passenger train still pass by the station every day. However, passenger trains now stop in nearby Cary.
Inside the Historic Building
The Apex Union Depot is a great example of Late Victorian architecture. This style was popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The building is made of brick and has some interesting features. You can see a double fireplace, old ticket windows, and even the original lanterns that switchmen used.
Historically, the building was designed with separate waiting areas. For example, there was a waiting room on the left side of the depot. There was also a special room for women traveling alone, located behind one of the fireplaces.
