Restored railroad depot preserves the past

Courtesy of Pittsylvania County Historical Society

The Chatham Railroad Depot as it was when it was the center of activity, circa 1920.

KEN LAUTERSTEIN | Special to Laker Weekly

Today, the Railroad Depot is in the final stages of restoration.

KEN LAUTERSTEIN | Special to Laker Weekly

Glenn Giles, project chairman of the Chatham Railroad Depot restoration, watches a Norfolk-Southern 7545 pass through. A train-spotting platform will be built on the blacktop.

Many residents who live in rural parts of the United States enjoy reminiscing about the past, their cultural roots and the achievements of their citizenry. They also often express concerns that younger generations may never know what came before them and the sacrifices that were made by the few for the benefit of all.

It's one thing to be concerned about such things, but it takes a special person or group to actually take action to ensure that a region's history is recorded and made a part of a permanent record. In the case of the Chatham Railroad Depot, what started as a group of committed citizens fighting for the preservation of an irreplaceable landmark developed into a protracted 12-year effort that will culminate this fall when the Pittsylvania County History Resource Center opens its doors to the public.

Like many places across the country, the railroad depot played a central role in the development of towns and regions. The railroad station often was the first building constructed as frontiers were developed. Passengers, freight, mail, and news traveled through the stations, making them a focus of activity throughout the day. Residents often would visit the depot to meet or to observe who or what was coming from or going to places far away.

The original Chatham station was built in 1874 for the Virginia Midland Railroad serving a north-south route between Lynchburg and Danville. Over time, the railroad changed hands, eventually becoming the Southern Railway System and later, the Norfolk-Southern Railroad. After WWI, the Southern Railway expanded and a new station was built in 1918 after the track was elevated.

With a long hipped roof, a three-bay dormer, unusual brickwork and large curved bracketed eaves, the new station was typical of other Southern Railroad depots. In 1970, Southern discontinued passenger service, although freight service continued until 1975.

After almost 25 years of deterioration and damage by vandals, the railroad scheduled the station for demolition in 1998. Workmen were on site when former state Sen. Charles Hawkins, R-Chatham, was alerted. He called the president of Norfolk Southern to plead for the building to be spared.

The railroad president agreed to delay the demolition to give the community time to organize a restoration effort, but after 18 months, an ultimatum was given to either lease or purchase the property or it would be torn down. The Pittsylvania Historical Society agreed to take on the task of the depot's restoration, and Frances Hurt (grandmother of state Sen. Robert Hurt, R-Chatham, who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives) obtained pledges for the $25,000 purchase price from Chatham citizens.

After many meetings with local officials, the Pittsylvania Board of Supervisors signed a lease/purchase agreement with Norfolk Southern on March 7, 2000. The agreement was later transferred to the Pittsylvania County Historical Society. The Society paid for an environmental survey, a property survey and an appraisal. In September 2001, the Society purchased the station.

The story of how the $1.6 millio restoration was funded is long with many fits and starts along the way. Much of the funding came from federal Transportation Enhancement reimbursable grants, administered through the Virginia Department of Transportation, and are based on an 80-20 formula. This means that the federal government provided 80 percent of the amount needed and the remaining 20 percent was the responsibility of the Historical Society. Because the grant required a local government sponsor, Pittsylvania County agreed to act as primary sponsor and submitted an application to VDOT for the station's rehabilitation.

The first application was filed in January 2002. After more processing delays, the project finally got started, with the first grant of $269,000, on Oct. 21, 2003 and another $95,000 in September 2004.

Because VDOT had to approve all construction documents, there were additional delays, but during the next six years, additional grants were made and construction contracts awarded. Donations from individuals, organizations, businesses and a number of foundations provided the $300,000 necessary for the 20 percent match.

Phase I was completed in 2007 with the replacement of the roof structure and deck (the original ceramic tile manufacturer was still operating). Phase II/III covered the costs to renovate the interior of the depot and was completed on June 30 of this year. All interior and exterior doors and windows were repaired or replaced. New interior partitions, plumbing, HVAC, electrical wires, fixtures and utilities were installed.

The final phase to complete the restoration has been funded and is in process; it includes furniture and equipment such as computers, printers and microfilm readers. Funds for additional site work, including fencing, landscaping, exterior lighting and paving, will be provided by the latest enhancement grant.

Because transportation grants funded the restoration, the goal for the depot's utilization will be to recognize the significant contributions that the railroad's presence had on the economic and social beginnings of Chatham and Pittsylvania County. The station agent's section will contain a model train exhibit called the "Old 97," recalling the 1874 rail line, which had numerous passenger stations in many small communities.

A "train-spotting" platform will be constructed outside as an educational and tourist attraction to emphasize the current and future economic benefits of rail transportation (some transportation analysts see a return of passenger rail service as energy costs continue to rise).

The depot also will be used as a History Resource Center. The Center will focus on the individuals, families, industries and organizations that have impacted the region.

Both Hargrave Military Academy and Chatham Hall Preparatory School have been based in Chatham for more than 100 years, and many students have passed through the Chatham Depot to and from school. Many military veterans also passed through the depot on the way to their assignments.

Visitors will have access to audio and video oral histories by Pittsylvania County veterans. There also will be an area where residents can research their genealogy through historical records.

The old ticket office will be used as a visitor center and as a trail head when Chatham completes it hiking and bike trail. The area will be used for display of railroad artifacts and for portraying the historical significance of the depot as it impacted the community's growth and development.

The old waiting room will serve as a community center and exhibition hall with restroom facilities and an office. The area will be available for civic club meetings, receptions and town hall meetings. It will double as an exhibition hall for art and photography exhibits, lectures and the showing of films, especially those of interest students and veterans.

In the words of Glenn Giles, project chairman,: "The completion of this project will promote the recognition of the achievements of individuals and families who have lived or still live in the county and will have the ability to educate and inspire our youth and increase their pride in the history and potential of Pittsylvania County."