The 103 Year Old Train Depot in Historic Hendersonville, NC is a treat for train buffs as well as history buffs.

This Historic Depot has been renovated and now houses the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club.

The following description of the Depot is from the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club website. www.avrmc.com

The present station was started in 1902. Originally it was 87 feet long and consisted of two waiting rooms ( a white and a black), an Agents Office, indoor plumbing, and a freight or Railway Express Office. The total cost of construction was $2613.00 which included three coats of heavy oil based paint. In 1906 15’ feet was added to each end of the station to provide a Ladies waiting room, and more baggage handling space. A few years later an open pavilion was added to the North end of the station to provide an additional covered waiting area. This addition was still not enough to handle the crowds of customers. On some Saturday mornings, especially during the summer between 500-600 young campers waited for the train to come up the Saluda Grade for their return trip home. When the train arrived it would disgorge approximately another 500-600 young campers for the next camping session.

In 1916 another 50 feet was added to the roofed over, open pavilion waiting area making it 75 feet long and reaching all the way to 7th Avenue. Soon after the last passenger service ended in 1968, this open pavilion became the unofficial unemployment office for the City of Hendersonville. Men would stand and wait under this pavilion for farmers, builders, and other employers to drive by and hire several men for a days work. Over time this practice became a problem for the City and the pavilion was sawed off and removed in 1972 to end this public nuisance.

In its heyday, a 22,000 gallon water tank stood on the other side of the tracks with underground pipes to two stand pipes in between Track #1 & #2. Just far enough apart for two Mikado steam locomotives to be serviced at the same time. At its peak, six passenger trains a day stopped in Hendersonville collecting and discharging passengers for our City, while making their way from as far away places as Cincinnati and Charleston.

This section of track is still claimed to be the steepest Class #1 railroad in the United States at the 600’ elevation in less than 3 miles between Saluda and Melrose. While passenger service ended in 1968, thousands of tons of freight particularly coal and wood chips traveled over these track and through the Hendersonville station with as many as 6-7 trains a day up until 2002. At that time the current owners, Norfolk Southern Railroad, elected to re-route trains South by selecting different routes thereby by-passing Hendersonville. Except for occasional local deliveries to area industries the tracks at the Hendersonville Station sit quietly beside the station providing a nostalgic reminder of the hustle and bustle of years gone bye.

In 1992 the Apple Valley Model Railroad club received permission from the City of Hendersonville to move into the station. By then, the building was in rough shape but through the efforts of the City and the Club members the station was completely redone in the original colors of the station and many and significant improvements were made to both stabilize the structure and enhance its functional use as an attraction for the City in promoting tourism.

Today the station houses the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club and it’s large HO Model train layout as well as the 7th Avenue Business Association which occasionally hold meetings in the North end of the station.

While the station still belongs to the Norfolk Southern Railroad it is leased to the City of Hendersonville who maintains the building. In the year 2000, the building was registered by the North Carolina Historical Society as a Historical Landmark commemorating its long and useful history in serving the public and residents of Henderson County.

Mike's On Main - The Former Justus Pharmacy - Its like walking into the Past.

Step into another era. It looks and feels like a 1950's soda fountain. Ice Cream Floats, Egg Salad Sandwiches, and your basic burger all round out a meal to remember. Eat outside on the sidewalk under an umbrella, or come inside, with music piped through drive-in speakers.

Photo by Hendersonville Epicurean http://hendersonvilleepicurean.blogspot.com History buffs will enjoy all the antique apothecary bottles that were used by the pharmacists back in the buildings' 1882 History. The Justus Pharmacy comes complete with the original tin ceiling and the authentic soda fountain.

So don't miss Mike's on Main when in the Historic Downtown Hendersonville area.

Download a Map of Downtown Hendersonville, NC.

www.dhinc.org/SG05.pdf

Henderson County, NC Historic Courthouseuse

And Henderson County Heritage Museum located in Historic Downtown Hendersonville

An Old Courthouse Takes on New Life with Rededication Ceremony

Historic Downtown Hendersonville, North Carolina

A treasure in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

photo from www.dhinc.org

Historic Downtown Hendersonville became part of the National Register of Historic Places in March of 88. It has become a vital part of the community’s economic and cultural growth. The serpentine street features planter boxes brimming with seasonal flowers and trees. Thriving businesses such as specialty shops, art galleries, children;s museaums, antique stores and restaurants offer something for everyone. The historic district offers the visitor traditional southern hometown charm. The merchants are friendly and just waiting for you to visit. Enjoy outdoor dining, or simply a rocking chair in front of an old timey mercantile. Downtown hosts many activities including the NC Apple Festival held during Labor Day weekend, as well as, art shows, an antique show, garden shows, car shows, and parades throughout the year.

My family owned a business on Main Street for over 20 years. I have seen the Downtown area come to life. This is truly a unique area. Many of my clients have relocated to Hendersonville because of the Downtown. I always take my clients on a little tour of Main St. before looking at houses. They are SOLD!

Look for another blog where I will post the schedule of events for Downtown Hendersonville.

Heres a hint.......do I see goats?