Wantagh Railroad Complex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wantagh Railroad Complex
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The old Wantagh Station, with an old Railroad Crossing sign, and LIRR Parlor Car.
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1700 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Built | 1885 |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001716 |
| Added to NRHP | June 30, 1983 |
The Wantagh Railroad Complex, also known as the Wantagh Museum, is a cool collection of old buildings in Wantagh, New York. It's like a time capsule showing what train travel was like long ago! The main part is the old Wantagh Railroad Station, which was built way back in 1885. This station was moved in 1966 when the train tracks were being raised. Before this 1885 station, there was an even older one from 1867. The complex also has a special diamond-shaped railroad crossing sign and an old crossing gate.
Contents
A Look Back: The Wantagh Museum's Story
Saving the Old Wantagh Station
In the middle of the 1900s, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) was making big changes. They were raising train tracks and building new stations in many towns. Many old stations from the Victorian era were being torn down. People in Wantagh worried their historic station would be next!
Because of this, a group called the Wantagh Preservation Society started in 1965. Their goal was to save the Wantagh Station. Even though they couldn't keep it right next to the tracks, they did save it. In 1966, the station was moved a few blocks away to where an old amusement park used to be. It was carefully fixed up between 1966 and 1969.
Adding to the Collection: A Fancy Train Car and Post Office
In 1972, the LIRR gave a special gift to the museum: a fancy train car from 1912! This car was called "The Jamaica." It was a parlor car, which means it was a comfortable car for passengers. It even had a sunroom, a kitchen, and an old-fashioned air conditioning system that used ice!
Right across from the station, you can see a small building that was Wantagh's official post office. It was built in 1907 and served the town until the mid-1920s.
Opening to the Public
The old station officially opened as a museum in 1982. It lets visitors step back in time and see what life was like when trains were a main way to travel. On June 30, 1983, the Wantagh Railroad Complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
Images for kids
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The former 1907-built Wantagh Post Office.
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A historic plaque on Wantagh Avenue.
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The original Post office and its historical marker.
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Parlor car #2000, known as 'The Jamaica'.
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A diamond-shaped railroad crossing sign from long ago.
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The 1912 Parlor Car, 'The Jamaica'.
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The original Post Office building.
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