This C&O Freight Depot was built in 1895. Through the middle of the 20th century, LTC, "less than car-load" freight was handled by railroads serving towns throughout the country. By about 1960, most of this freight business had been taken away from the railroads by trucks, and freight depots fell into disuse.On one side of the depot, sidings held incoming boxcars. The shipments were unloaded on the freight platform, and transferred to the platform on the opposite side of the building to be picked up by truck or wagon and delivered to their final destination.
The Freight Depot at Clifton Forge now houses the Heritage Center's gift shop and museum displays.
The safety bulletin pictured above (click on picture to enlarge) is posted on the side of the depot and reads: "Watch Your Step! 8 Killed and 2221 Injured in 1924 Stepping or Tripping on Coal, Boards, Stone, Rubbish or other Loose Material."
The well preserved Freight Depot is a architectural gem, the design is functional yet pleasing to the eye with it's proportion and symmetry. Nice work Edd.
ReplyDeleteThanks Robert, it is indeed a well preserved and lovely building. The inside is very nice as well. The museum exhibits are arranged without interior walls so that the sense of the open space of the freight house is preserved. Hard to believe this building is over 100 years old.
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