Berkeley Springs station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Berkeley Springs Train Depot
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Berkeley Springs Train Depot in 2020
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 Berkeley Springs Train Depot
Location in Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia
Berkeley Springs Train Depot
Location in West Virginia
Berkeley Springs Train Depot
Location in the United States
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| Location | 342 N. Washington St., Berkeley Springs, West Virginia |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1915 |
| Architect | Baltimore and Ohio Railroad |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 00001313 |
| Added to NRHP | March 23, 2001 |
The Berkeley Springs Train Depot is an old train station in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. It's a cool red brick building with a special red tile roof. The building is about 80 feet long and 20 feet wide. It was built in a unique style called Mission Revival. This style often uses arches and red tile roofs, making buildings look like old Spanish missions.
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What is the History of the Berkeley Springs Train Depot?
The Berkeley Springs Train Depot was built in 1915 by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. This railroad company was very important back then. In the 1920s and 1930s, the train tracks here were busy. They were used to ship things like farm produce and wood.
However, the depot stopped being used for passengers in 1935. After that, it had many different jobs! For a long time, until the 1990s, it held the town's main office. It was also home to the local court and police department. Later, it became a music shop and an art gallery.
The depot is part of a bigger area called the Town of Bath Historic District. This whole district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special place that is important to history. The Town of Bath now owns the depot and the land around it.
How Was the Berkeley Springs Train Depot Restored?
A group of volunteers started working in 2008 to fix up the old depot. They wanted to bring it back to life!
Early Repair Work (2009-2010)
In 2009 and 2010, the state government helped with money. They gave grants to the town for important repairs. The first big job was fixing the roof. Also, a grant helped pay for a new heating and cooling system. This made the building much more comfortable. Workers also fixed a lot of the wood on the roof. They carefully took off most of the old roof tiles. These tiles were saved to be put back later.
Major Restoration Projects (2011-2016)
In 2011, the depot received another big grant. This money was for restoring the special tile roof. It also helped make the inside look like it did in 1915. Work on the outside and the roof began in April 2015. It was amazing that the new tiles matched the 100-year-old ones perfectly!
In 2016, the town got another federal grant. This money was for planning the inside restoration. It also covered removing any dangerous materials. They also waterproofed the basement. Plus, they upgraded the electrical and plumbing systems. A new heating and cooling system was also designed.
Future Plans for the Depot
People have some great ideas for what the depot could be next. It could become a welcome center for visitors. This would be a place where people can learn about the town and the state. Another idea is to turn it into a local museum. This museum could teach everyone about the town's history with trains.
