OLDEST - Railroad Station in New Jersery - Berlin, NJ
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bpom
N 39° 47.637 W 074° 55.540
18S E 506364 N 4404890
Long-A-Coming Depot, now known as the Historic Berlin Railroad Station, is the oldest existing railroad station in New Jersey. It is located between Washington and E. Taunton Aves., SE of jct. of NJ 73 and E. Taunton Ave., Berlin, NJ.
Waymark Code: WM81J9
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 01/09/2010
Views: 3
The Camden and Absecon Railroad Company laid a single rail line in 1853 that ran parallel to the main road between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Long-A-Coming Station, as it was oringinally called, was built in 1856. A hotel and tavern were within walking distance of the station to make it an ideal place for a stop.
On February 5, 1867, the station was renamed "Magnolia". This caused much confusion because the town of Magnolia was nearby. So, three months later, on May 7, the town name and the station name were changed to Berlin.
The first Station Agent was Joseph L. Thackara. Other residents who served as agents were Howard C. Sharp, Mr. Brace, Henry N. Gillon, David R. Lee, Herbert R. Snyder, and John W. Green. The station was used for both passengers and freight.
After some heavy rail traffic in the early years, the depression and increase of automobiles caused train travel to decline. By the 1960's the railroad that had grown to a double track was reduced back to a single line and stations were closed and removed. The Berlin Station was closed. It stood empty until 1994 when two residents, Roy Schmidt and Dan Pomponio, Sr., organized the restoration of the station. The Long-A-Coming Historical Society members did the work. The restoration took two years to complete. The railroad allowed the station to remain on its original spot. It is now a museum and meeting place for the Long-A-Coming Historical Society.
The Berlin Train Station is the oldest existing station in New Jersey. Tours are by appointment. See the web site.
Type of documentation of superlative status: U.S. National Registry of Historic Places
Location of coordinates: Washington Ave. at the railroad tracks, Berlin, NJ, U.S.A.
Web Site: [Web Link]
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