Rocky Mount Historic Train Station
Rocky Mount, NC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The Rocky Mount Train Station still stands proudly beside the tracks, looking much as it has for generations of rail travelers. Its handsome brick architecture makes it one of those places that's worth a second look if you're passing through town. 05-08
The station first opened in 1893 and expanded as Rocky Mount became an important railroad stop. While many depots disappeared as passenger rail declined, this one survived and was carefully restored, allowing it to continue serving travelers more than a century after it first opened.
UPDATE: The Rocky Mount Historic Train Station remains an active Amtrak stop and one of Rocky Mount's best-known landmarks. 08-26
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Rail Station
Mobile, AL Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Located in Mobile, AL is this fabulous, albeit abandoned Spanish style railroad station built by the GM&O. The GM&O building was originally designed in 1904 and after being restored, is now serving as an office complex. More information about the GM&O building can be found here. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 10-08
Take a drive through downtown Mobile and it's hard not to notice the impressive Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Rail Station. With its arched windows, stucco walls, and red tile roof, it looks more like a grand hotel than a railroad station. 10-08
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Rail Station
Mobile, AL Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The terminal opened in 1907 and welcomed generations of passengers traveling throughout the South. As rail travel declined, the last passenger trains rolled through in the late 1950s, and the building eventually stood empty for years before falling into disrepair.
Fortunately, the old depot escaped demolition. A major restoration brought the landmark back to life, preserving its distinctive architecture while giving it a new purpose as offices and Mobile's public transit headquarters. It's another good example of an old railroad station finding a second life after the trains moved on.
UPDATE: The former GM&O station remains beautifully restored and continues serving downtown Mobile as an office and transit center. 08-26
Post Office
Mt Airy, NC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The old Post Office in Mount Airy looks like the kind of building they just don't build anymore. Its granite walls, broad staircase, and classic styling give it the sort of presence you'd expect from an important government building in a small town. 10-08
Completed in 1935, the post office replaced an older downtown facility and has been serving the community ever since. Built from locally quarried granite, it's one of those buildings that was clearly meant to last. Take a few minutes to admire the entrance and the decorative details around the windows before heading on down the road.
Unlike many historic post offices that have been sold or converted to other uses, this one is still doing the job it was built for nearly ninety years ago. Sometimes it's nice to see an old landmark that never really changed.
UPDATE: The Mount Airy Post Office continues serving the community from its historic downtown home. 08-26
Southern F Unit at Greensboro Train Station
Greensboro, NC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Waiting beside the tracks at the Greensboro station is a beautifully restored Southern F Unit. Even standing still, the streamlined locomotive looks ready to pull a passenger train out of town. Its classic Southern Railway paint scheme makes it one of the first things railfans notice when they stop by the depot. 02-09
Built during the great transition from steam to diesel locomotives, F Units became the face of passenger rail travel across much of America. Their sleek styling and distinctive nose gave them a modern look that helped define the railroad's postwar years. Southern Railway's green-and-gold "Tuxedo" paint scheme only added to their timeless appearance.
Today the locomotive serves as a reminder of the days when Southern Railway passenger trains rolled through Greensboro on a regular basis. Parked beside the beautifully restored 1927 depot, it makes a fitting companion to one of North Carolina's busiest passenger stations.
UPDATE: The Southern F Unit remains on display at the Greensboro station, where it continues to welcome railfans and travelers alike. 08-26
Salisbury Train Station
Salisbury, NC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Salisbury, NC is home to this old Salisbury Train Station which was used in Leatherheads that had been filmed in the Carolinas in early 2007 (the scene was on the track side). A local fellow was telling me that they brought in not only a steam locomotive for the filming, but because it was a fall (football) season film they drilled holes all over the area and trucked in a bunch of fake fall colored trees.
The Salisbury train station was constructed in 1908 and designed by architect Frank P. Milburn in the Spanish Mission style. The Salisbury Station was originally built by the Southern Railroad and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. After being vacant for years, the Historic Salisbury Foundation Inc. restored the station.
Check out the Cheerwine ghost sign that overlooks the train station. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 02-09
UPDATE: The Salisbury Depot continues serving Amtrak travelers while preserving one of North Carolina's finest historic railroad stations. 08-26
Greyhound Station (Closed)
Birmingham, AL Photo courtesy Paul Bauke
Take a drive through downtown Birmingham and the Greyhound Station is sure to catch your eye. Its rounded corners and streamlined design look more like something from the Jet Age than a typical bus station. If it seems newer than most depots of its era, that's because the building was heavily remodeled years ago before eventually regaining much of its original appearance. 04-09
The terminal opened in 1949 and quickly became one of the South's busiest Greyhound stations. For generations of travelers, this was where vacations began, college students headed home, and families welcomed loved ones arriving by bus. In 1961, the station also became part of the Civil Rights Movement when Freedom Riders arrived here to challenge segregation in interstate travel.
Greyhound moved to a new terminal in 2017, but fortunately this depot escaped demolition. A careful restoration uncovered many of its original Streamline Moderne details while giving the building a new purpose. It's another good example of how an old transportation landmark can find a second life.
UPDATE: The former Greyhound Station has been restored as offices and event space while preserving its classic streamlined design. 08-26
Rocky Mount Historic Train Station
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Rail Station
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Rail Station
Post Office
Southern F Unit at Greensboro Train Station
Salisbury Train Station
Greyhound Station (Closed)
