Rail Station
Danville, VA
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The Rail Station in Danville still has the look of a busy railroad depot. Its long brick walls, decorative roofline, and covered platforms make it easy to imagine Southern Railway passenger trains pulling up as travelers hurried on and off with suitcases in hand. Even today, it's one of those places that makes you want to linger for a while and wait for the next train. 04-08

Rail Station
Danville, VA
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Completed in 1899, the depot quickly became an important stop along Southern Railway's main line between Washington and Atlanta. Through the years, countless passengers passed through its waiting rooms on their way to destinations throughout the South and beyond. One of the station's most remarkable moments came in 1915, when the entire building was carefully moved 133 feet to make room for expanding railroad tracks. It's not every day a train station goes for a ride of its own.

Like many railroad depots, the station saw quieter days as passenger rail declined, but fortunately it escaped demolition. Instead, the historic building found a new purpose when much of the interior became home to the Danville Science Center, while Amtrak continued serving passengers from the station. It's a combination that works surprisingly well, keeping the old depot filled with visitors while trains still roll by outside.

Whether you're catching the Crescent or simply stopping to admire the architecture, this is one railroad station that's well worth pulling over to see. They just don't build depots like this anymore.

UPDATE: The Danville station continues serving Amtrak passengers while also housing the Danville Science Center. 08-26

Peoples Bank (Closed)
Rocky Mount, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The first thing that catches your eye isn't the building, it's the giant ghost sign painted across the side. Faded by years of North Carolina sun and rain, the old People's Bank lettering still stands out against the brick, reminding travelers of a time when downtown buildings doubled as billboards. It's the kind of roadside detail that's worth slowing down for. 05-08

The five-story building opened in 1918 and soon became one of Rocky Mount's most prominent business addresses. After the Great Depression, it reopened as Peoples Bank and Trust Company, and for decades customers climbed its front steps to take care of their banking while trains rumbled through the nearby railroad corridor.

Of course, it's the ghost sign that steals the show today. Looking across the tracks, it's easy to imagine passengers leaning out the windows of passing trains or motorists catching a glimpse of the giant painted advertisement as they made their way through town. Signs like this weren't meant to last forever, yet somehow many have managed to outlive the businesses they once promoted.

Peoples Bank
Rocky Mount, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Fortunately, both the building and the sign survived. The old bank has been carefully restored for modern office use while preserving its historic appearance, and the weathered advertisement remains one of downtown Rocky Mount's most recognizable landmarks. It's another reminder that sometimes the best roadside attractions aren't flashy at all. They're simply old signs that refused to disappear.

UPDATE: The Peoples Bank Building continues serving a new purpose, while its iconic ghost sign remains a favorite sight along downtown Rocky Mount's railroad tracks. 08-26

Train Station (Rem.)
Pulaski, VA
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Here are some photos of the old train station located in Pulaski, VA taken while the air was still at 11pm. 05-08

The old Train Station in Pulaski is the kind of depot that catches your eye with its rugged stone walls and classic railroad architecture. It looks like it has been welcoming trains for generations. Built in 1888, the station served Norfolk & Western passengers for many years before finding a new purpose after rail travel declined.

UPDATE: A fire destroyed the Pulaski Train Station late Sunday November 16, 2008. According to fire officials, the cause of the fire was accidental and likely electrical related as the flames had sparked in the attic. The stone walls are all that's now left of the train station. According to Roanoke.com, the building that is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places originally opened in 1888 and subsequently renovated in the 1980's. Some of the historic artifacts stored inside may have been damaged. 12-08

Train Station (Rem.)
Pulaski, VA
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

UPDATE: The Pulaski Train Depot will be rebuilt, according to the Roanoke Times. The Town Manager made a statement that the station will have to "go back like it was" to remain on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic train station had been destroyed by a fire on November 17, 2008 and was insured for $800,000. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for update. 01-09

UPDATE: The Pulaski Train Station, which burned in 2008, has indeed been rebuilt to look almost exactly like the pre-fire photos. The station hosts a full service bicycle shop as a trail-head to the Dora Trail connector to The New River Trail (a 57 mile rails-to-trails state park built on the old Pulaski to Galax N&W Railway line). The interior can be rented and outside on the patio can be found live music, festivals, events and celebrations. Also, from April through September, The Marketplace is held every Tuesday, featuring live music, catered food, local artisan beer & wine and local produce and crafts. Additionally, the town constructed the Ratcliffe Transportation Museum, which features a very accurately detailed 80x26ft O-Gauge model railroad reproduction of the Town of Pulaski circa 1930-40. Many thanks to hjhanks for update. 08-13

UPDATE: The restored depot now serves as a community gathering place while preserving its historic appearance. 08-26