Thurmond Passenger Depot

At its peak, the Thurmond Depot served 75,000 passengers in one year.

Gene Huddleston; C&O Historical Society

Quick Facts

Significance:

Historic Building

Amenities

3 listed

Parking - Auto, Toilet - Flush, Toilet - Vault/Composting

Thurmond Walking Tour Stop 1

The first passenger depot built in 1897 burned down only a few years later in 1903. The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway announced the new depot would be one of the largest on the line. The new two-story Thurmond Depot opened in 1904. The first floor served travelers coming and going from Thurmond. The ticket agent’s office, baggage room, waiting rooms, and restrooms were at track level. Other services for passengers on the first floor included a snack and news room.

The second floor housed the signal tower and telegraph office. It also had offices for the dispatcher, train master, and conductor. The decline in passenger trains in the 1960s caused the depot to undergo changes. The entire first floor joined the second floor as offices for the railroad. These offices operated until the mid-1980s when they finally closed.

A few years later, the National Park Service acquired the depot. The park service restored the building to its classic early 1900s look. In 1995, the building opened for use as a visitor center. Today, this place gives us a glimpse of Thurmond’s lively days. Active preservation work continues to maintain its historical appearance. Thurmond remains a flag stop for Amtrak passenger trains. Amtrak added an accessibility platform in 2023.