Roxbury station facts for kids

The Roxbury station is an old train station that isn't used anymore. It was once part of the Ulster and Delaware Railroad system. You can find it in the small town of Roxbury, New York. This station is a special part of the Ulster and Delaware Railroad Depot and Mill Complex. This complex is a historic area listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

History of Roxbury Station

Building the Station

This train station was first built by the Rondout & Oswego Railroad. Construction finished in January 1872. Just three months later, in April 1872, the railroad changed its name. It became the New York, Kingston and Syracuse railroad.

This new railroad only lasted a few years, until 1875. Then, it changed its name again to the Ulster and Delaware Railroad.

Original Design

When it was first built, the station was a single rectangular building. Inside, a wall separated the passenger area from the freight (goods) area. This allowed people to wait for trains and also for goods to be loaded or unloaded.

Big Changes and New Features

The station was greatly changed between 1888 and 1891 by the Ulster & Delaware Railroad. Many people believe that Helen Gould Shepherd helped design or pay for these changes. She was the daughter of Jay Gould, a very rich railroad owner.

Local stories say she wanted a fancier waiting room for her friends and family. So, a new section was added to the north side of the building. This new part had two rooms. One was the ticket agent's office, which also had a telegrapher's office. It faced the tracks through a special bay window. The other room was the main waiting room.

This station was very modern for its time. It had what people believe was the first indoor flush toilet in Delaware County. It also had central heating. A coal furnace in the basement sent warm air through ducts to the offices and waiting room. This was a big improvement over the old "potbelly" stoves common in other train stations.

Another new feature added was a portico. This was a covered porch-like area attached to the north side. Most stations on the Ulster & Delaware Railroad did not have this kind of feature.

Station's Role in the Community

Roxbury station was important for local businesses. Even though it wasn't as busy as some other stations, it served several companies. These included a coal seller, a supplier of feed and grain, and a paint factory. Several local creameries (places that made dairy products) also used the station.

Later Years and Preservation

Passenger train service at Roxbury station stopped in 1954. However, the station agent stayed until 1957. After that, the building was used for other businesses. From 1959 to 1976, a feed and grain dealer used it. Freight service also ended in 1976. In the mid-1990s, a body shop owner used the building.

The feed supplier covered the entire station with metal siding. This actually helped protect the building. Because of this, the inside of the station changed very little. This makes it one of the best-preserved Ulster & Delaware Railroad stations today.

Roxbury Depot Museum

Today, the Roxbury Station is home to a museum. It has many displays that show local history. You can learn about how the station interacted with local businesses. There are also maps and diagrams that explain the history of the Ulster & Delaware Railroad. You can even see small models (dioramas) of the station from different time periods.

The building itself is in very good condition. This is partly because the metal siding protected it for many years. The station is being restored by the Ulster and Delaware Railroad Historical Society. Besides working on the Roxbury Station, they are also restoring an old steam train from 1920. They are also working on a special train car called a "Bobber" Caboose from 1906.

See also

• Ulster and Delaware Railroad Depot and Mill Complex