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The
Historic Newton, NC Depot is open to visitors on Saturdays,
and features displays and exhibits of local railroad history. The
building, built in 1924, served both the Southern Railway and the
Carolina & North-Western lines which traversed Catawba County.
Railroad service into the area started in 1860 when rails of the
Western North Carolina Railroad reached the county. In 1881 tracks
of the Chester & Lenoir Narrow Gauge railroad also reached Newton
and joined the rails of the WNCRR.
The renovated depot, which was build an an all-brick
structure by the Elliott Building Company, opened to the public in
September, 2006 and houses a railroad museum, model railroad club,
and a banquet room. The banquet room of the depot can seat up to 80
people at one time and is available for rent for family, church,
business or civic event.
Currently, the Depot Authority is exploring the
feasibility of creating the North Carolina Narrow Gauge Museum, with
displays of native Tarheel railroad equipment that is smaller than
the typical standard gauge railroad. Preliminary plans call for a
covered car-barn with three storage tracks on land adjacent to the
depot.
Website:
Historic Newton, NC Depot
Location:
Newton NC
Distance: 1 hour and 15 minutes from Asheville
Address: 1123 North Main Avenue, Newton NC 28658
Telephone: 828-695-4317
Hours: Saturday 1 - 3 p.m., other times by appointment only.
Fees: None
Allow: 1-2 hours
Nearby:Catawba County Museum of History,
Catawba Science Center,
Harper House/Hickory History Center,
Hickory Museum of Art,
Hiddenite Center,
Historic Murray's Mill
Directions: From Asheville take I-40 East towards
Statesville. Take Exit 130 toward Old US 70. Turn left at West 1st
Street, take the 2nd right onto 1st Avenue South. Continue onto
Highway 16 Business/Main Street to depot.
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