GREENVILLE, Pa. — Greenville officials aim to save the town’s former Erie Railroad brick depot, which last saw passenger service in 1970.
The depot property is now owned by Norfolk Southern, which may raze the building. Greenville Mayor Jean Carr-Fisher would like to see it saved, if possible.
Carr-Fisher on Feb. 4 presented a plan to apply for a state historic planning grant. Grant funds are to be used for engineering services that would evaluate the building and property. The study and the borough also need to determine what the depot could be used for.
The mayor, Borough Manager Jasson Urey, state Sen. Michele Brooks, state Rep. Parke Wentling, Rod Wilt, executive director of the Penn-Northwest Development Corp., and representatives from U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly’s office, the state historic preservation office, and Norfolk Southern have met to discuss possibilities for the depot. Carr-Fisher says one option could be the borough leasing the depot and property from NS.
The grant would be between $5,000 and $25,000 with a required 50% match from the borough. If awarded, the borough does not have to accept the grant, should the depot have been removed or the match not met. Part of NS’ concerns over demolition is that the building was recently cited for code violations.
“The railroad system is such a big part of the history and legacy of this area,” Brooks said. “We want to explore every opportunity we can to save that building.”
The depot project, Carr-Fisher says, is a priority due to its place in local railroad history. Greenville, located about 80 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, was served by the Erie and was a significant town along the Bessemer & Lake Erie. The B&LE had a roundhouse, turntable, and backshop on the south side of Greenville. These structures still stand. Adjacent to the Erie depot is the Greenville Railroad Park & Museum, which among other equipment, displays the only existing 0-10-2 Union-type steam locomotive. No. 604 is one of nine such locomotives built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1936 for the Union Railroad. The Union and B&LE were both part of the Carnegie/U.S. Steel railroads. The Greenville B&LE depot still stands and is currently a private business office.
For additional information on the Greenville Railroad Park and Museum, visit its website.
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