A Little History - The Ashford Depot
January 16th, 2008 - Categories: Historic Markers around Dothan, Just for Fun
By: Christy
Ashford, Alabama has an interesting history that grew out of the railroad and the turpentine industries in the late 19th century. The Alabama Midland Railroad Depot, built in 1889, still remains a historic centerpiece of this era. Interestingly, the Ashford Depot faced demolition when the Atlantic Coastline Railroad no longer needed it as an active station. The depot was purchased from the railroad by Ashford Gin Company for an undisclosed amount to store ingredients for fertilizer that came by rail. When Ashford Gin Company ceased operations, C. O. Adams, Jr. deeded the depot to the town of Ashford. Local citizens, under the direction of former station master Tommy Rod Henderson, raised money to give the depot a new roof and paint job in the early 1980’s. The present historic marker was placed on September 12, 1985 and the nearly 100 year old depot was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nothing further was done to preserve the structure of the depot until 2001, when Mayor Bryan Alloway appointed new members to the Depot committee to seek grants for a complete restoration. The dream became reality thanks to support from the community and government officials from the local, state, and federal levels. The Ashford Depot dedication took place on November 11, 2005. The recently restored Victorian style building houses a beautiful community room equipped for catering, with tables and chairs to accomodate 60 - 80 people. Presently the restored community freight area and dock is used for business meetings, receptions, reunions, etc.
The railroad museum is a work in progress. This part of the historic depot is projected to open this year for exhibits, classroom orientation, and field trips. The caboose and railcar are considered part of the museum and plans are to restore the caboose to depict its usage by freight crews during the peak of railroading.
The Ashford Area Economic Development and Historical Preservation Foundation is working with the Historic Chattahoochee Commission and the Alabama Bureau of Tourism to make visiting the Ashford Depot a unique experience along the Chattahoochee Trace. For more information, contact Fran McArthur at 334-899-3679 or June Layton at 334-699-2977