Oak Hill Railroad Depot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Oak Hill Railroad Depot
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The Oak Hill Depot in 2013
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Junction of Virginia Ave. and Central Ave. in Oak Hill, West Virginia |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1903 |
| Architect | White Oak Coal Company |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements |
| NRHP reference No. | 95000255 |
| Added to NRHP | March 17, 1995 |
The Oak Hill Railroad Depot is an old train station in Oak Hill, West Virginia. It sits at the corner of Virginia Avenue and Central Avenue. This depot first opened in 1903 for the White Oak Railway. Later, it became part of the Virginian Railway and then the Norfolk and Western Railway.
Today, the depot is a special meeting place. It hosts the White Oak chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. This building is also important because it's the only Virginian Railway depot still standing in West Virginia.
Contents
A Look Back: Depot's History
Early Days and Growth
The Oak Hill Railroad Depot first opened in 1903. It was built for the White Oak Railway, which was owned by the White Oak Coal Company. This railway line connected Glen Jean to coal mines in Summerlee and Lochgelly.
The depot had two main jobs. It checked coal cars from the mines. It also served as a station for passengers and freight in the new town of Oak Hill. The opening of this station brought big changes to Oak Hill. The town quickly grew from a small farming area into a busy business center. It soon had banks, hotels, and many stores.
Changing Hands and Services
In 1912, the Virginian Railway started leasing the depot. They eventually bought it in 1922. The depot continued to offer train services to Oak Hill. People could travel by train, and goods could be shipped.
After World War II, passenger train service to Oak Hill stopped. In 1957, the depot became part of the Norfolk and Western Railway. It continued to handle freight until 1983, when it finally closed to trains.
Saving the Historic Depot
In 1995, the Norfolk Southern Corp., which owned the railway, gave the closed depot to the city of Oak Hill. The White Oak chapter of the National Railway Historical Society took on the task of restoring it. They used money from donations and a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
To help raise money, Oak Hill started an annual event called Depot Day in 1997. This festival helped fund the restoration efforts. Today, the depot is mainly used as a meeting spot for the historical society. It remains the only Virginian Railway depot left in West Virginia. In 2013, the station had a fire that caused minor damage, but it was quickly repaired.
Building the Depot: Structure and Style
The Oak Hill Railroad Depot is a one-story wooden building. It stands on the southwest corner of Central Avenue and Virginia Street. It is located right next to the Norfolk Southern Railway tracks.
The building has a special type of siding called board and batten. It also features design elements from the Victorian era. This style was common for small-town train stations in the early 1900s.
Originally, the depot had a waiting area for passengers. It also had an office for the station master. In 1922, a warehouse, a loading dock, and a ramp were added. Restoration work began in 1993, and the depot was painted a historical shade of gray. You can also see a small steam locomotive behind the depot.
