Herndon Depot Museum facts for kids
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Herndon Depot
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The former Herndon Depot, now the Herndon Historical Society Museum.
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 Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1857, 1875 |
| NRHP reference No. | 79003039 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 18, 1979 |
The Herndon Depot Museum is also known as the Herndon Historical Society Museum. It is located in the town of Herndon in Fairfax County, Virginia. This historic building was first built in 1857 as a train station. It served several important railroads over the years. These included the Alexandria, Loudoun & Hampshire Railroad and the Southern Railway. In 1875, the original building was replaced with the depot you see today.
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What is the Herndon Depot Museum?
The Herndon Depot Museum is a special place where you can learn about the history of Herndon. It used to be a busy train station. Today, it is run by the Herndon Historical Society.
Where is the Museum Located?
The museum is at 717 Lynn Street. It is right next to the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail. This trail used to be the railroad tracks! The building is also close to the Herndon Town Hall. The Town Hall was built in 1939.
What Can You See Inside?
Inside the museum, you can find many interesting things. There are items from the old railroad days. You can also learn about United States Navy Commander William Lewis Herndon. The town of Herndon was named after him. The museum also has artifacts from the USS Herndon (DD-198), a ship from World War II. You can also see items from local residents.
The Depot's Role in History
The Herndon Depot played a big part in the town's history. It was important for both daily life and even a famous event during the American Civil War.
A Civil War Raid
In March 1863, during the Civil War, something exciting happened at the depot. A Confederate Army captain named John S. Mosby led a surprise attack. He and his men caught the Union Army soldiers guarding the station off guard. They captured officers, soldiers, and horses. The best part? Mosby's men did not have any injuries.
How the Railroad Helped Herndon Grow
The railroad was very important for Herndon's farms. Many large dairy farms were around the village. Farmers used the train to ship fresh milk every day to Washington. There, the milk was processed and sent out to people.
The train station became the heart of the community. Many businesses opened up near the station. This was because they could easily transport their goods by train. The depot was also a central meeting place for people in Herndon. It even had a warm potbellied stove. It was at the depot that the town's name, Herndon, was chosen.
The End of an Era
Over time, things changed. Cars, trucks, and better roads became common. People and farmers did not need the railroad as much.
When the Trains Stopped Running
The last passenger train came through Herndon in 1952. After that, the depot was only used to unload freight. The railroad's last big job was hauling sand. This sand was used to build the runways at Washington Dulles International Airport. The railroad and the depot officially closed in August 1968.
Saving the Historic Building
After the depot closed, some business owners wanted to tear it down. They thought it looked old and messy. The company that owned it, VEPCO, also thought it was a fire risk. But local historical groups fought to save it. Service groups promised to help fix it up. Because of their efforts, the depot was saved!
In 1970, the Herndon Historical Society was formed. They started working to restore the depot. The restoration was finished in 1974.
The Depot's Design
The depot building is a rectangular, one-story structure. It is made of wood boards. It measures about 70.5 feet long and 20.1 feet wide. The only decorations are some Victorian style supports under the roof. The window and door frames are original. So are the two baggage doors. You can also see the original semaphore and other old hardware.
National Recognition
The Herndon Depot is a very important historical site.
Added to the National Register
The United States Department of the Interior recognized the building's importance. They added it to the National Register of Historic Places on June 18, 1979. This means it is a special place that should be protected. The depot's location is also marked as part of the Virginia Civil War Trails Program.
