Magnolia station facts for kids

The Depot
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Magnolia Depot, circa 1960s
Location in Mississippi Show map of Mississippi Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	101 E. Railroad Avenue Magnolia, Mississippi
Area	less than one acre
Built	c. 1895
Architectural style	Queen Anne
NRHP reference No.	84000045
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	October 11, 1984

The Magnolia Station is a very old train station in Magnolia, Mississippi. You can find it at 101 E. Railroad Avenue. This special building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It's also known as "The Depot." Later, in 2006, it became a Mississippi Landmark. This means it's an important historical site in the state.

What is the Magnolia Depot?

The Magnolia Depot is a historic building that once served as a train station. It was built around 1895. This station was very important for the town of Magnolia. It helped people and goods travel by train.

Building a New Station

The first train station in Magnolia was built in 1856. But in 1893, a big fire destroyed it. So, between 1893 and 1895, a new station was built. This is the building we see today. It was built in the same spot, right next to the Illinois Central Railroad tracks.

How the Depot Looked

The depot is a one-story building made of wood. It has a rectangular shape. It was designed to handle both cargo and passengers. This was important because Magnolia was a popular resort town back then. The roof has a special "gable" design with wide edges.

The side of the building facing the train tracks had many windows and doors. There was a bay window, single doors for people, and large doors for freight. The other side of the building had single doors and regular windows.

Saving the Historic Station

By 1982, the building was no longer used as a train station. It became an antique store instead. But the city of Magnolia wanted to save this important piece of history.

Turning it into City Hall

In the early 2000s, the City of Magnolia bought the old depot. They wanted to use it as their city hall. Because the building was so old, it needed a lot of work. The foundation was falling apart.

The Restoration Project

The outside of the building needed a full restoration. But the workers kept the original windows and siding. This helped keep the building's historic look. New doors were put in, and the big freight doors were replaced with windows.

Inside, the original doors, wood floors, and walls were kept. They were carefully cleaned and fixed. The building also got new plumbing and electrical systems. This made it safe and modern for its new use.

Who Helped Pay for It?

Grants helped pay for the restoration work. These grants came from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the Mississippi Department of Transportation. The restoration was finished in 2011. Today, the old train station proudly serves as Magnolia's City Hall.