We hope to keep you abreast of the Old Fort Train Depot renovation project

The architects have been chosen, Harris Architects, 300 E North Broad Street, Brevard, North Carolina 28712. Phone 828-883-5535, email harrisarch@citcom.net This company comes highly recommended with a good history of historical renovations. Some of their projects include; Chestnut Hill Bed & Breakfast, Brevard; Grove Park Inn Resort, Asheville; Zachary-Tolbert House, Cashiers; Asheville City Building, Asheville; Fort Hill, Clemson, SC; Mills River United Methodist Church, Horseshoe, NC. This company was chosen by both Black Mountain and Old Fort to accomplish the renovations on both depots.

The first meeting was held in Black Mountain on Feb 11, 2002. Attending was Mayor Wayne Stafford and Richard Acrivos representing Old Fort Chamber of Commerce. The ground work was discussed and ideas were brought forward regarding certain hopes and cares by Old Fort representatives. Since the Black Mountain project is still awaiting clarification on certain details, Old Fort renovation planning will start first. The next meeting will be on March 20th in Old Fort. Mayor Stafford will set up a steering committee for all future meetings. We remind you that we still need old pictures of the depot, this is an important requirement of the architects so they can restore the depot historically correct. Stay tuned for more information.

The Rail Road Committee met with Harris Architects and State employees to discuss the ongoing design phase. Attending were Mayor Wayne Stafford, Alderman Pete Mathews, Wayne Souther, Michael Rouse and Richard Acrivos. Initial plans call for 20 parking spaces, moving the caboose closer to the building and several changes to the interior of the building. A photograph circa 1916 of the building showed many changes between 1916 and 1940 and will be a great help in the restoration process. Of special interest was the apparent addition to the building on the park side. The architects also brought a Dec 1916 Interstate Commerce Commission Division of Valuation report, this report inventoried all items around the depot to include; Tool house, 4 Store houses, 3 Dwellings, sand house, oil house, privy and a second hand pig pen.

North Carolina Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The gentleman who is leaning over the cart facing us is Frank Burnette Sr.

IMPORTANT OLD FORT TOWN MEETING

On January 21 at 6:30pm the Town of Old Fort will hold a public information meeting during the normal town meeting, Harris Architects of Brevard, NC will present the developing plans for the rehabilitation of the Old Fort Depot. A representative from the North Carolina Department of Transportation will also make a presentation about the plans for the building and future passenger rail service. There would be time for public/city council questions and comments.

GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY BEING PLANNED

Plans are in the making for ground breaking on the Depot Renovation around the second week in August. All the depots in the line will have the ground breaking on the same day, times will be announced later when the State dignitaries finalize their plans for attendance. The Town of Old Fort will start planning on how to celebrate this event, some suggestions are to hold an all day event featuring descendants of past depot workers and railroad workers then have the official ground breaking at the time the State representatives arrive in Old Fort. If you have ideas please write an email to this site and we will ensure the mayor receives them. If you are a descendant of someone who worked in the depot or rail line in Old Fort please provide your name, contact information and family lineage so we may start a list of invitees.

Attention Contractors; May 21 at 2:30 PM at the depot there will be a pre-bid meeting. On June 6th the bids will close.

Ground Breaking Ceremony 15 August 2003, 12:15 p.m.

We are still compiling names of descendants of families who would like to be invited to this historic event. Please email with your descendants name, short history and contact information. Old Fort is the last ceremony planned for this all day event. The Town of Morganton will have their ceremony at 10 a.m., Marion at 11:15 a.m., and Old Fort at 12:15 - 12:30 p.m.

The Work has Started Sept 2003

We will keep a photographic record of the renovation process, please see our photo gallery

Does this initial and date indicate our depot was built prior to 1886?

The Maj. Wilson monument was removed on 19 May 2004 for cleaning. It will be placed next to the caboose facing the tracks.

The Depot was opened on 20 May 2005.