The City of Huntsville will soon explore options for a downtown parcel that includes the Historic Huntsville Depot.
Table of Contents
ToggleMoving Forward with the Depot
EarlyWorks Museums recently returned control of the 6½-acre depot complex to the City. The complex also includes The Roundhouse, an events center at 398 Monroe St. NW. However, EarlyWorks will continue managing it for existing reservations.
The City is now focused on determining the next steps for the depot, which is currently closed to the public. As part of this process, they plan to hold public listening sessions to gather ideas on the best uses for the land and the depot.
The City will release a schedule for public sessions in early 2025. “We want input from the public on ideas for the property,” said City Administrator John Hamilton. “Our vision is that it remains a public space, offering quality-of-life amenities. We’re open to any suggestions.”
Preserving a Historic Landmark
The depot, a three-story brick building at 320 Church St. NW, opened in December 1860, just months before the Civil War. The City is assessing the building for significant structural issues, ensuring its security, and working on preservation efforts. “We’re doing everything we need to preserve the building,” Hamilton said.
The Depot’s Rich History
The depot, originally part of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, is Alabama’s oldest standing railway terminal. Huntsville served as the Eastern Division headquarters for the railroad, which connected the Mississippi River to the Atlantic Ocean.
“Huntsville’s citizens worked hard to bring the railroad through the city, raising $50,000 to help make it happen,” said Katie Stamps, the City’s Preservation Planner. “The railroad was critical in Huntsville’s growth and success.”
The depot helped transform Huntsville into a significant commercial hub. It connected communities, fostered business, and sparked growth.
During the Civil War, Confederate soldiers occupied the depot after Huntsville was captured in 1862. After the war, financial struggles forced the railroad to sell the depot to the Southern Railway System in 1898.
The depot underwent a major remodel in 1912, and in 1950, Wernher von Braun and his team of rocket scientists arrived, marking a pivotal moment for Huntsville. Passenger service ended in 1967.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the depot park hosted the popular WhistleStop BBQ Festival, attracting up to 20,000 visitors. Bands such as Gin Blossoms, .38 Special, and the Charlie Daniels Band performed at the event.
“The green space is already an asset, and the building has immense potential,” Hamilton said.
Sign up for the Homely Huntsville newsletter to stay up to date on Huntsville.
