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Ellerslie Depot Restoration & Walking Trail
Project
*Note the following information was obtained from a brochure distributed by the
Ellerslie Volunteer Fire Department.
Project Information:
The Ellerslie Depot has been in constant use since 1946 when it was relocated
from railroad
property to community owned property.
The Depot is currently threatened by a highway expansion project, which
provides an excellent
opportunity to return the building to its original location.
Our goal is to restore the exterior of the Depot back to its original 1891
appearance while
making the interior more functional for current usage.
We propose to include a landscaped one mile walking trail, a children's play
area and a
picnic area on the grounds.
We are currently applying for local and state grants to assist in the funding
of the project, and appealing to residents for donations. Applications are also
being sent to the National Register of
Historic Places.
We have very few historic buildings in Ellerslie, please help us preserve the
Depot and add
a wonderful are for residential recreation.
History of the Ellerslie Depot
The Georgia Midland and Gulf Railroad Company was
incorporated on September 29, 1885 and the name was changed to Georgia Midland
Railroad on March 17, 1886.
In the summer of 1886, the route was completed
through Ellerslie and Waverly Hall, and it officially opened December 1,
1886. The railroad brought increased trade, lower freight rates and easier
travel to the citizens of each community it passed through.
the Ellerslie Depot building was constructed in
1891. It has a brick foundation, a metal shingle roof, and was painted in
the railroad colors of ochre yellow and green trim. It was described in
old records belonging to the Norfolk Southern Railways, as being a Type 3
building, with the passenger end being of irregular size, and the trade end
being 10-1/2' x 24' x 18'.
By mid 1894, the national rail depression hit it's
peak. The railway filed for bankruptcy and operated under receivership
until 1896, when it was sold and reorganized under a state charter granted in
March 1896.
In July 1896, the Georgia Midland Railroad was
acquired by the Southern Railway Company, which began operation in 1895 and was
part of the J.P. Morgan railroad empire.
Old public timetables show that Ellerslie was a
stopping point from the opening of the railroad, but in 1901 Ellerslie became a
flag stop, meaning the trains would only stop if signaled to do so.
In the late 1800's and early 1900's, Mr. C.O. Taylor,
originally from Manchester, Georgia, was the depot agent, followed by Mr. Harry
Greer, who lived in the community of Ellerslie.
The depot agent was the only local employee, acting
as ticket agent, freight agent and telegraph operator. During this time
mail was being picked up and dropped off at Ellerslie on a daily basis.
Southern Railway retired the depot from active use,
replacing it with a 10' x 12' waiting both and a 12' x 18' x 10'
freight room. In September 1946, the residents of Ellerslie learned that
the railroad would be disposing of the Depot only 55 years after it's
construction.
Members of the Ellerslie Methodist Church and the
Bethesda Baptist Church formed a committee of local residents to go to Atlanta
and purchase the Depot from Southern Railways. Funds were raised through
individual contributions from the community and the building was purchased for
$500.
Local storeowner, Charles Tidwell, deeded a piece of
property to the Community of Ellerslie. The property, bounded on the North by
the Southern Railway Right-of-way, was to become the new home for the Depot,
only requiring that the building be move about 100 feet off of railroad
property.
Between 1946 and 1950, the sliding freight doors were
removed and replaced wit three windows on one side of the building and a door
and a door and a window on the other side. The exterior was covered with siding
and the interior sealed with beaded board paneling in order to make the building
more functional as a community center.
Since that time, it has been in continuous use as the
only communal building in Ellerslie, Used for election polling, community
meetings and activities, it's also available by reservation for private use by
any Ellerslie resident. To the best of our knowledge, this building is the
last existing depot build by the original Georgia Midland Railroad Company.
HOW CAN I HELP?
Letters of Support:
If you feel this is an exciting project that will benefit our community, please
write to the address below and share your thoughts.
Donations:
Funds are being applied for thought local and state agencies at this
time. However, the amount of grant money these agencies provide is
directly based upon the amount support shown and money raised by the
community. Donations of cash or merchandise (trees, shrubbery, building
materials, etc.) would be greatly appreciated. All donations are tax
deductible. Please make checks payable to the EVFD.
Contact Information:
Letters of support and donations for this project may be send to:
The
Ellerslie Volunteer Fire Department Depot Project
P.O. Box 96
Ellerslie, GA
31807
If you would like to donate merchandise or if you
have questions regarding this project, please call Mr. Bill Swint, Chairman, at
706-561-5328. Or, Linda Camp, Project Historian, at 706-561-0628 |
