Russellville station

The Russellville, Arkansas Missouri Pacific Depot is a historic passenger railroad station located just north of the intersection of South Denver Avenue and West C Street. It is a long rectangular single-story masonry building, finished in brick and stucco and covered by a hip roof with supporting Italianate brackets, designed in a Mediterranean style that was popular when it was built. At both ends, the roof extends beyond the structure to form a sheltered porch supported by square brick columns. A telegrapher's booth projects from the building's north (track-facing) side. An open breezeway separates the passenger and express freight sections of the depot. Three brick chimneys rise through the ridge line, two above the passenger section to the east and one above the freight section to the west. Completed in February 1917, it is typical of many railroad depots of that period; its original tile roof has been replaced by composition shingles.[2]

Missouri Pacific Depot, Russellville
Russellville station is located in Arkansas
Russellville station
Location in Arkansas
Russellville station is located in the United States
Russellville station
Location in United States
LocationN of jct. of C St. and Denver Ave., Russellville, Arkansas
Coordinates35°16′49″N 93°8′7″W
Arealess than one acre
Built1910 (1910)
Built byMissouri Pacific Railroad
Architectural styleLate 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Mediterranean
Part ofRussellville Downtown Historic District (ID96000941)
MPSHistoric Railroad Depots of Arkansas MPS
NRHP reference No.92000620[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJune 11, 1992
Designated CPSeptember 3, 1996

Mandated by legislation passed in 1915 by the Arkansas General Assembly,[3] depot construction was delayed by local disputes.[4] It was completed by Iron Mountain Railway in early 1917 just a few months before Iron Mountain was acquired by the Missouri Pacific Railroad.[5][6]

In 1916, the existing railroad freight house was moved and rebuilt two blocks east to make way for the new depot. Located between present-day North Commerce Avenue and North Arkansas Avenue, it was demolished in the 1970s.

The depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.[1]

In 1999, the depot was acquired by the city of Russellville.

The statue placed in front of the depot, titled Mr. Conductor, has become a symbol of the thriving downtown market that has developed in recent years. He is posed, pocket watch in hand, calling any last passengers to hop aboard. Although his watch does not tell hours and minutes, it indeed shows the passing of time and once would have told many weary travelers where they would be headed next. Mr. Conductor has become a local personality, often photographed, decorated, and honored.

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. "NRHP nomination for Missouri Pacific Depot—Russellville" (PDF). Arkansas Heritage. Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. Retrieved 31 July 2023. Missouri Pacific Depot; Russellville, Arkansas; near C St. & Denver Ave. 1910, Mediterranean-style structure. Listed in National Register of Historic Places on 06/11/92. Note: The structure was completed in 1917, not 1910 as stated in the NRHP application.
  3. "Net Results of the First Month—Thirty Bills and Two Resolutions are Passed by Both Houses of the Legislature". The Carlisle Independent. No. 41, 10th year. Carlisle, Arkansas: Griffin & Massey. February 11, 1915. p. 2. Retrieved 1 August 2023. To require the Iron Mountain to erect a brick or stone passenger station at Russellville
  4. "Russellville's Depot Row Still Unsettled". The Arkansas Democrat. Little Rock, Arkansas: Little Rock Publishing Company. July 4, 1916. p. 11. Retrieved 12 August 2023. ... the depot controversy which resulted in stopping work on the new depot after the foundation had been laid. Property owners of the north side of the railroad, through their attorneys..., served notice on the city council that if the railway company was allowed to close River street with the depot that they would ask for a mandamus to have the street opened, and alleged that the railway company was not building the depot according to the railroad commission's order, locating the depot from Jefferson street westward as far as needed into River street. Note: River Street is now Denver Avenue and Jefferson Street is now Commerce Avenue
  5. "Legislature of 1915 Pass Law Requiring Iron Mountain to Erect Depot at Russelville—Citizens Cannot Agree". The Prescott Daily News. No. 298 Vol IX. Prescott, Arkansas: The News Printing Compnay. March 24, 1916. p. 1. Retrieved 9 August 2023. The legislature of 1915 passed a law requiring the Iron Mountain to erect a station at Russellville, but the citizens are unable to agree upon a site. The railroad company is ready to build the depot when the people get together on the location. Now the Commission has been appealed to as a compromise, and will select the site.
  6. "Into Russellville Depot—New Iron Mountain Station Is Show Place of the City". The Arkansas Gazette. Little Rock, Arkansas: Gazette Publishing Company. February 24, 1917. p. 2. Retrieved 31 July 2023. The new passenger station of the Iron Mountain has been completed and is now in use, having been occupied quietly without the public dedication, which had been planned. The station is 216 feet long, built of red brick and stucco with the root and is a much larger and handsomer structure than local people had anticipated. The parking arrangement, automobile driveway and general improvements about the premises have made this the show place of the city.
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