Durham and Southern Passenger Depot, Apex, N. Carolina
Posted by: 
PFF
N 35° 43.937 W 078° 51.030
17S E 694396 N 3956385
Brick station built in 1912, in a town that takes it's name from being the highest point on the rail line.
Waymark Code: WMJMA
Location: North Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 07/29/2006
Views: 72
The Apex railroad station was chartered in 1854. A town grew up around the tracks, and was incorporated in 1873. The name "Apex" comes from this being the highest point on the rail line.
Today, the rail heritage remains visible as new buildings are constructed in a "train-station" style. It's almost difficult to distinguish between what was, and was not, a depot. Even the new Town Hall looks like an oversized depot. And on US-64 at Salem Street, there is a full-sized reproduction of a train station, housing a surveying firm. [See Gallery.]
The "real" train depot is on the north side of the downtown area. The station and the surrounding buildings are built of brick, and all date from around 1912. That's because in 1911, the entire downtown area, which was constructed of wood, burned in the Great Fire. As structures were replaced, fireproof materials such as brick were used.
The train depot served for many years as the town library. In the 1990's, a regional library facility was constructed, freeing up this historical space. The current occupant is the Apex Chamber of Commerce. The building is on the National Registry of Historic Places.
At the site: In front of the depot are benches and walkways. A caboose sits on the right side on the station. A USGS Benchmark can be found a few feet above the ground on the left rear corner. A CSX operations building, built in 1910, is 300 feet north of the station. The downtown area has many nice antique and speciality stores where browsers are welcome!