|
 Punta Gorda Atlantic Coast Line Depot - Punta Gorda, FL Posted by:  rogueblack
N 26° 55.743 W 082° 02.759
17R E 396154 N 2979006
Owned and operated by the Punta Gorda Historical Society
Waymark Code: WM3DN3
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 03/20/2008
Views: 18
According to the Peace River Center for Writers website:
The Depot, built in 1928, was the southernmost train station in the United States at that time. It is the only one remaining of six depots built by the Atlantic Coast Line in the Mediterranean Revival style then popular. Closed in 1971, the depot was vacant for many years. The late Fred Babcock acquired the building, and in 1996, he donated it to the Historical Society.
The building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was designed mainly to handle freight. The passenger area occupies a small portion of the northern end of the building. The racially separate ticket windows, waiting areas, and bathrooms reflect the segregation practice at the time of its construction.
The building interior has been restored, as current codes allowed, to its original state. The "colored" waiting room has been restored to its original condition; it is now the Bernice A. Russell Colored Waiting Room Museum. The Bernice A. Russell CDC prepares and presents the exhibits featuring the history and culture of African-Americans in Punta Gorda and Charlotte County. The "white waiting room" now includes a handicapped-accessible restroom and will also display historical exhibits. The freight room, loading dock and trackside dock will be as they were originally except for the new handicapped ramp, safety railings and entrance steps. Future plans visualize railroad cars exhibited on the sidings.
Street address:
1009 Taylor Road
Punta Gorda, FL USA
33950
County / Borough / Parish: Charlotte
Year listed: 1990
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Periods of significance: 1925-1949
Historic function: Transportation, Rail-Related
Current function: Vacant/Not In Use
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
|
Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.
|