Old Orlando Railroad Depot - Orlando, FL
Posted by: 
moochie
N 28° 32.422 W 081° 22.846
17R E 462750 N 3157123
The Old Orlando Railroad Depot is now better known as part of the Church Street Station. This was the third railroad station built on this spot. Both former stations were constructed of wood.
Waymark Code: WM33D8
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 02/03/2008
Views: 77
By 1886, Henry Plant, railroad and hotel magnate, decided that it would be a good idea to control a railway from the east coast of Florida to the west coast. The majority of tourists were traveling straight down the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. to the new resort cities of St. Augustine and Miami on Henry Flagler's trains. Plant wanted to continue developing Tampa as a resort to rival Flagler's and sought control of the railroad line through Orlando. To this end, he had this station, as well as others built along the line.
Construction of the Orlando Depot began in 1887 and continued for 2 years. The building was dedicated on January 14, 1890. The original owner was the South Florida Rail Company. The style is Queen Anne/Eclectic Victorian. 1920 modifications to the building had the slate roof replaced with a tin roof. The dormer windows were changed from an eyebrow shape to a gabled shape. In 1980, the building was restored. The original shaped eyebrow dormers were brought back as well as the original red, silver and gray slate roof.
The building was used as a passenger train depot from 1889-1926. From 1926-1972, it served as a ticket outlet and freight station. In 1972, the station was filled with retail shops and was part of the Church Street Station Entertainment Complex and was used as such until 2001. Since 2002, the building has stood empty.
Street address:
68 W Church Street
Orlando, FL USA
County / Borough / Parish: Orange
Year listed: 1976
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Built by Henry Plant to connect the east and west coasts of Florida
Periods of significance: 1875-1899
Historic function: Transportation and Architecture
Current function: Vacant
Privately owned?: yes
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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