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Port Jervis station (Erie Railroad) facts for kids

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Port Jervis
Erie Depot Port Jervis entrance.jpg
Port Jervis station in August 2011
Location 13-19 Jersey Avenue, Port Jervis, New York 12771
Line(s) Main Line
Platforms 1 side platform
Other information
Station code 2677 (Erie Railroad)
History
Opened December 31, 1847
Closed 1974
Rebuilt 1850; July 8, 1889; February 6, 1892
Former services
Preceding station Erie Railroad Following station
Cochecton
toward Chicago
Main Line Otisville
toward Jersey City
Sparrowbush
toward Chicago
Graham
toward Jersey City
Erie Railroad Station
Port Jervis station (Erie Railroad) is located in New York
Port Jervis station (Erie Railroad)
Location in New York
Port Jervis station (Erie Railroad) is located in the United States
Port Jervis station (Erie Railroad)
Location in the United States
Built 1892
Architect Grattan & Jennings
Architectural style Queen Anne
NRHP reference No. 80002739
Added to NRHP April 11, 1980

The Port Jervis station is an old train station in Port Jervis, New York. It's located at the corner of Jersey Avenue and Fowler Street. This station was built in 1892 for the Erie Railroad. It was designed by Grattan & Jennings in a style called Queen Anne.

For many years, this was the busiest passenger station on the Erie Railroad's Delaware Branch. This was because Port Jervis is a town along the Delaware River. It's also very close to where three states meet: New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Important long-distance trains like the Erie Limited and the Lake Cities used to stop here. These trains traveled between Chicago and Hoboken.

A Busy Train Hub

Building the Station

The Port Jervis station was built in 1892. It was designed by architects Grattan & Jennings. They used the popular Queen Anne style. This style often features towers, turrets, and different textures.

Why Port Jervis Was Important

Port Jervis was a very busy place for train travel. It was the most active passenger station on the Erie Railroad's Delaware Branch. Its location was key to its importance. The town sits along the Delaware River. It's also near the point where the borders of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania meet. This made it a central spot for travelers.

Changes in Travel

The Decline of Train Travel

In the middle of the 20th century, fewer people traveled by train. Many people started using cars instead. The government also built many new highways. This made car travel easier and more popular. Because of this, passenger train service began to decline.

New Train Services

By 1970, long-distance passenger service from Port Jervis to Binghamton stopped. Local train service to Hoboken was then taken over by Metro-North Railroad. Metro-North is part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Metro-North decided not to use the old Erie Depot. Instead, they built a new, simpler station nearby. This new station had a parking lot for cars. It also had a basic shelter and a concrete platform at street level.

The Station Today

A Historic Landmark

After the new station opened, the original Port Jervis station fell into disrepair. However, its historical importance was recognized. In 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is known there as the Erie Railroad Station.

Renovation and New Life

Since being listed as a historic place, the old station has been renovated. Today, it has a new purpose. Several small shops are now located inside the building, facing the street. This means the historic station is still an active part of the community.

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