Frenchville Railroad Station and Water Tank facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Frenchville Railroad Station and Water Tank
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 308 US 1, Frenchville, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1910 |
| NRHP reference No. | 95000723 |
| Added to NRHP | June 20, 1995 |
The Frenchville Railroad Station and Water Tank are a special historic site in Frenchville, Maine. They were built in 1910 by the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad. These buildings helped trains run smoothly for many years.
The station was used until 1971. The water tower became old-fashioned in 1958. This happened when diesel locomotives, which don't need water, replaced steam locomotives. The town of Frenchville bought the water tank. They used it to store water for the fire department until 1981. Since 1985, the Frenchville Historical Society has taken care of this important historical place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 20, 1995.
Contents
What You'll See at the Station
The old Frenchville Railroad Station is located near United States Route 1. It sits next to the railroad tracks of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad.
The Station Building
The station is a small building made of wood. It has a roof that sticks out far, and its outside walls are covered with wooden planks. Inside, the building has three main parts. There was a room for the train agent in the middle. A freight area for goods was on one side. A passenger area for people waiting for trains was on the other side. The inside walls and ceiling are decorated with pine wood and metal.
The Caboose
Right next to the station, there's a short piece of train track. On this track, you'll find a caboose. A caboose is a special car at the end of a freight train. This caboose is about 51 feet 8.5 inches (15.761 m) long. It was first built in December 1943 to carry soldiers. The Bangor & Aroostook Railroad bought it in 1949. They changed it into a caboose. It was used until 1981. In 1988, it was given to the Frenchville Historical Society.
The Water Tower
Beyond the caboose, there is a tall, green water tower. It stands about 40 feet (12 m) high and is about 20 feet (6.1 m) wide. The bottom part is made of wood and sits on a concrete base. Strong wooden beams hold up the tank. Fifteen steel rods also help to make it strong. The top of the tower has a many-sided roof.
This water tower was also built around 1910. It provided water for the steam engines that ran on the railroad. In 1958, the railroad started using diesel trains. These trains did not need water from the tower. The town of Frenchville then bought the tower. They used it to store water for their fire department until 1981. Since 1985, local people have helped take care of it. Today, the Frenchville Historical Society owns the water tower.
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