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Herndon Depot

The Herndon Depot Rail museum in Herndon VA is a great place to visit. The depot was built in 1857, and was left empty when the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad ceased operations in 1968.

July 25, 2023

The Herndon Depot Rail museum in Herndon VA is a great place to visit. The depot was built in 1857, and was left empty when the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad ceased operations in 1968. When the town held a town meeting in 1970, it was discussed whether the depot should be demolished or used for parking instead. The town agreed to keep the depot and a new town square improvement project was undertaken in 1974. You can visit this amazing attraction at 717 Lynn St, Herndon, VA 20170.

While Herndon was once a small, sleepy vacation town for the Washington elite, it is now a busy transportation hub, and one of the oldest railroad stations in the country. The town is located in densely populated Fairfax County, about 20 miles from the nation's capital. The Herndon Depot Rail museum, which is owned and maintained by the Herndon Historical Society, showcases the history of railroading in Herndon. It is also home to many items loaned to it by local residents. The Herndon Depot was the train station until 1968.

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The Herndon Depot Rail museum includes a restored caboose. The caboose, a mid-century cupola caboose, is 37 feet long and weighs over four-thousand pounds. It serves as a backdrop for countless photos and is a historical route of the Washington and Old Dominion Trail. There are several other historical sites in Herndon worth a visit.

After the town acquired the depot, they held a vote on the fate of the depot. Several residents wanted the depot to remain, but one town councilman wanted to see it go. He planned to abstain from the vote because he had friends who wanted it to go. However, he knew that his abstention would help the pro-depot group win, so he voted in favor of preserving the heritage of the Herndon depot.

The Herndon Depot Rail museum Herndon, VA features railroad memorabilia from the Civil War. There is also information about the United States Navy commander William Lewis Herndon. The Museum is operated by the Herndon Historical Society. The museum also features the site of a Confederate Army raid on St. Patrick's Day in 1863. In this raid, Confederate Army Captain John S. Mosby and his men captured a Union Army picket, killing four men and taking away two hundred dollars.

Whether you're interested in the history of Herndon, or simply want to learn more about the area, there's something here for everyone. Whether you're a history buff or just enjoy art, the Herndon Depot Rail museum is sure to be interesting. You'll enjoy the museum's permanent exhibits, and the opportunity to see artifacts from the Herndon Depot.

When visiting Herndon, be sure to leave some time for shopping. There's no shortage of places to buy beautiful souvenirs. If you love the outdoors, you can explore the Herndon Town Green and attend free concerts and other special events. The town also has a world-renowned theatre group, NextStop Theatre. With such a rich history, Herndon is a great place to visit for a day trip or weekend getaway.

 

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