Huntsville Depot facts for kids
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Southern Railway System Depot
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The depot in July 2010
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 Location in Huntsville, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Location | 330 Church St., Huntsville, Alabama |
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| Area | 2.8 acres (1.1 ha) |
| Built | 1860 |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000101 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 10, 1971 |
The Huntsville Depot is a very old train station in Huntsville, Alabama. It's located on the Norfolk Southern Railway line right in the middle of downtown. This depot is the oldest train station still standing in Alabama. It's also one of the oldest in the entire United States! Built in 1860, it was once the main office for the eastern part of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. Today, the Huntsville Depot is recognized as an important historical site. It is listed on both the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage and the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Depot
The Civil War Years
During the American Civil War, the Union Army took control of Huntsville in 1862. They saw the railroad as a very important way to move supplies and soldiers. Because of this, the Huntsville Depot was used as a prison for Confederate soldiers. If you visit today, you can still see Graffiti that these soldiers left on the walls! It's like a message from the past.
End of Passenger Trains
For many years, the depot was a busy place with trains coming and going. The last regular passenger train to use the Huntsville Depot was called The Tennessean. This train, run by the Southern Railway, made its final stop here on March 30, 1968. After that, the depot's role changed.
The Depot Today: A Museum for Kids
Today, the Huntsville Depot is no longer a train station. Instead, it is a fun and educational museum! It is part of the Early Works Museum complex. Here, you can learn all about the history of trains and the depot itself.
Meet the Steam Locomotive
Outside the museum, you can see a cool old steam locomotive. It's a type of train engine called a 0-4-0 Porter. This engine was built in 1904 in Pittsburgh. It's a great example of the powerful machines that once pulled trains across the country.
More to Explore
- Alabama Constitution Village
- North Alabama Railroad Museum
- List of museums in Alabama
- List of transport museums
