Historic Depots in Jackson County Alabama
History buffs will enjoy the three historic train depots in Jackson County Alabama. Two of them date from the 1800s and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The other depot dates from the early 20th century. As part of the preservation efforts in their respective towns, all three depots are now museums which chronicle the history of the area as well as the role of the railroads in it.
The Scottsboro Railroad Depot is one of only three remaining pre-Civil War depots in Alabama. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The simple white brick building was constructed in 1860-61 for the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. This was the only rail line in the Confederacy that ran east and west, so it was an important supply line. The depot became the focus of an intense Civil War battle on January 8, 1865. Union forces holding the depot were attacked by Confederate troops under the command of Brig. Gen. H.B. Lyon. Intense artillery fire eventually drove the Union soldiers from the building. Some holes left by Civil War musket balls can still be seen in the exterior. In 1891 a new passenger depot was built, but the original building continued to be used for freight operations. The depot museum contains artifacts and photos showing the importance of the railroad to Scottsboro. The museum is open Thursday-Sunday from May to October. Hours are 10am-4pm on Thursday-Saturday and 1pm-4pm on Sunday. The depot is located at the corner of North Houston Street and Maple Avenue.
The Bridgeport, Alabama depot stands at 114 Souland Square.
Bridgeport was the location of an important railroad bridge over the Tennessee River, as well as the junction of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad and the Sequatchee Valley Railroad. The depot was constructed in 1917. The two-story Spanish mission style building with tile roof is unusual for the area. The ground floor contained the passenger depot and the W. Union telegraph office. The depot sat vacant for over thirty years and suffered two fires. Restored in 1999, it reopened as the Bridgeport Railroad Depot Museum. The museum contains exhibits of local history and railroad memorabilia. It also houses a genealogical library, where visitors may find information on early settlers in the area, and an historical research library with records going back to 1807. The museum is open on Thursday and Friday from 9am-1pm, Saturday from 9am-3pm, and Sunday from 1pm-5pm. Admission is free.
The depot in Stevenson, Alabama is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The brick building was built in 1872 on the site of an earlier depot that was destroyed during or just after the Civil War. Stevenson was located at the junction of two important Civil War era railroads, the Nashville & Chattanooga and the Memphis & Charleston. Today the depot's museum contains Civil War and Native America artifacts, as well as exhibits on the history of the area and its role in the Civil War. The depot is located at 207 West Main Street and is open Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm. The Stevenson Depot Days festival is held each June, with family friendly activities including a parade, storytelling, and an arts and crafts show. There is also live entertainment and a street dance. Dates for 2011 are June 6-12. Festival activities are free. Visitors to northeast Alabama may enjoy a stop at these historic railroad depots. The museums are informative for those interested in Civil War history, as well as fun for railroad enthusiasts.
The Scottsboro Railroad Depot is one of only three remaining pre-Civil War depots in Alabama. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The simple white brick building was constructed in 1860-61 for the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. This was the only rail line in the Confederacy that ran east and west, so it was an important supply line. The depot became the focus of an intense Civil War battle on January 8, 1865. Union forces holding the depot were attacked by Confederate troops under the command of Brig. Gen. H.B. Lyon. Intense artillery fire eventually drove the Union soldiers from the building. Some holes left by Civil War musket balls can still be seen in the exterior. In 1891 a new passenger depot was built, but the original building continued to be used for freight operations. The depot museum contains artifacts and photos showing the importance of the railroad to Scottsboro. The museum is open Thursday-Sunday from May to October. Hours are 10am-4pm on Thursday-Saturday and 1pm-4pm on Sunday. The depot is located at the corner of North Houston Street and Maple Avenue.
The Bridgeport, Alabama depot stands at 114 Souland Square.
Bridgeport was the location of an important railroad bridge over the Tennessee River, as well as the junction of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad and the Sequatchee Valley Railroad. The depot was constructed in 1917. The two-story Spanish mission style building with tile roof is unusual for the area. The ground floor contained the passenger depot and the W. Union telegraph office. The depot sat vacant for over thirty years and suffered two fires. Restored in 1999, it reopened as the Bridgeport Railroad Depot Museum. The museum contains exhibits of local history and railroad memorabilia. It also houses a genealogical library, where visitors may find information on early settlers in the area, and an historical research library with records going back to 1807. The museum is open on Thursday and Friday from 9am-1pm, Saturday from 9am-3pm, and Sunday from 1pm-5pm. Admission is free.
The depot in Stevenson, Alabama is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The brick building was built in 1872 on the site of an earlier depot that was destroyed during or just after the Civil War. Stevenson was located at the junction of two important Civil War era railroads, the Nashville & Chattanooga and the Memphis & Charleston. Today the depot's museum contains Civil War and Native America artifacts, as well as exhibits on the history of the area and its role in the Civil War. The depot is located at 207 West Main Street and is open Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm. The Stevenson Depot Days festival is held each June, with family friendly activities including a parade, storytelling, and an arts and crafts show. There is also live entertainment and a street dance. Dates for 2011 are June 6-12. Festival activities are free. Visitors to northeast Alabama may enjoy a stop at these historic railroad depots. The museums are informative for those interested in Civil War history, as well as fun for railroad enthusiasts.
