Machias station
Machias Railroad Station | |
Location | 27 East Main Street, Machias, Maine |
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Coordinates | 44°43′10″N 67°27′8″W / 44.71944°N 67.45222°W |
Area | less than one acre |
Built | 1898 |
Architect | Varney, Howard |
Architectural style | Washington County RR Station |
NRHP reference No. | 92001293[1] |
Added to NRHP | October 2, 1992 |
The Machias Railroad Station is a historic railroad station near the junction of Court and Main Streets (US Routes 1A and 1, respectively) in
Description and history
The former Machias railroad station stands on the north side of
The Washington County Railroad was incorporated in 1894, began construction on its rail lines the following year, and ran its first train in 1899, delayed by funding issues. Despite lofty projections of profitability, the line, which ran between Brewer and Calais, was financially unsuccessful, and its assets were auctioned in 1903 and leased to the Maine Central Railroad. During its brief lifespan, the railroad constructed 24 stations, most according to a standardized design, of which five survive. The Machias station was built in 1898 and enlarged in 1910. In 1957 the building was converted to a freight depot, at which time the freight doors on the track side were added and interior alterations made. The rail line was abandoned in 1985.[2]
The building is now owned by the town, which granted a $1 lease to the local chamber of commerce. The chamber in 2015 embarked on a fundraising campaign to complete restoration of the interior for use as a visitors center and meeting space.
See also
References
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ a b "NRHP nomination for Machias Railroad Station". National Park Service. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
Preceding station | Maine Central Railroad | Following station | ||
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Whitneyville toward Washington Junction
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Washington County Railway | East Machias toward Calais
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