Historic train depot set for restoration in Greensboro

The North Carolina Railroad Company is partnering with the City of Greensboro and other civic organizations to purchase and preserve one of the Gate City's century-old passenger train stations.

The Southern Railway Passenger Depot at 400 South Elm Street was built in 1899 and sits in the center of Greensboro's downtown.

It featured granite brought in by railroad from Mt. Airy, elaborate brickwork and a three-story turret. The building replaced what is believed to be the city's first train station which had become too small to handle the rapid business growth in the area.

The new depot was then replaced with a still larger station less than three decades later, known today as the J. Douglas Gaylon Depot on West Washington Street.

After that new depot opened in 1927, the Elm Street location was converted into office space for Southern Railway. Norfolk Southern, which succeeded that company in 1982, will sell it to make way for the major renovations and redevelopment.

The hope among city leaders is that the historic building will provide a new gateway to Greensboro's growth in the 21st century.