2026-05-04T10:16:18-04:00 Zend_Feed_Writer https://shenandoahstories.org/ Shenandoah Stories https://shenandoahstories.org 2016-05-13T11:31:43-04:00 2018-10-19T11:46:21-04:00 https://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/47 Shenandoah County Library Despite the attention given to passenger service and its depots, the main railroad business in Woodstock and Shenandoah County was freight. The region exported hundreds of carloads of agricultural products each year while importing heavy machinery, finished goods, building supplies, fuel, and much more. Well into the 1960s trains were still supplied the majority of local businesses, including automobile dealerships whose new vehicles arrived via the railroad. Woodstock’s freight depot was constructed on the south side of Court Street sometime in the 1880s. It included a large stock pen to load cattle onto outgoing trains. Eventually the entire area between the Triplett Mill and the track, now open space, was filled with railroad facilities. Siding capacity expanded dramatically during the 20th century until it peaked at 175 cars from 1928-1942. The freight depot was also home to the telegraph office which established the Woodstock symbol as WD. Starting in the 1950s the rail service in the area began to decline as trucks began to supplant the train. Sometime before 1969 regular service ended. Interstate 81 had opened and all but the heaviest loads could be transported via that route faster and cheaper. The final depot manager retired from Woodstock in 1973 and the depot was demolished soon after that. For more, view the original article. 2016-05-13T11:15:21-04:00 2018-10-19T11:46:21-04:00 https://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/46 Shenandoah County Library Trains belong to the Manassas Gap Railroad first arrived in Woodstock on August 27, 1856. The following year, a two stall engine house was constructed near this site. This structure would be destroyed during the Civil War. In 1885 a depot was built by the B&O Railroad. It stood on the south side of Court Street and was later home to the freight office. Three years later a new depot was built on what was called the “commons.” This was an ornate, limestone structure. It was more elaborate than most stations in the area, especially when one considers Woodstock’s modest size. A large covered platform stretched from the building to Court Street and facilitated the loading of passengers. It served until 1948 when passenger service ended. In 1954 the structure was sold to Gordon “Sonny” Bowman who dismantled it and used the material to construct the press box at the Massanutten Military Academy’s football field. Many locals passionately opposed the railroad’s decision to demolish the building and that its eventual loss damaged Woodstock’s historic character. For more (including 6 images), view the original article. 2016-05-10T10:02:14-04:00 2018-10-19T11:46:21-04:00 https://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/34 Shenandoah County Library Around 1890 the building that now houses the Strasburg Museum was constructed by the Strasburg Stone and Earthenware Manufacturing Company. Organization by Strasburg resident Dr. Granville Brown, this company operated a large steam pottery plant on the site. This was one of the numerous pottery operations Strasburg was known for in the 19th century. The building was constructed by David Milton Crabill of Toms Brook. It would operate as a steam pottery during the 1890s and first part of the 20th century. These decades were part of a boom period in Strasburg’s history during which the railroad and other commercial establishments grew exponentially. However the boom did not last and around 1909 the pottery closed. Four years later the Southern Railway Company obtained the building and opened a passenger and freight depot inside. From then until the early 1960s it was the center of the railroad’s expansive presence in Strasburg. In 1970 the Strasburg Museum obtained a lease from the railroad to convert the then abandoned structure into a museum. That same year the building became a National Historic Landmark. Later the organization acquired the structure. Today the former pottery/depot still houses the town’s museum which contains thousands of authentic items from the area’s history, railroad items including a caboose, a working model railroad depicting the area, local artwork, and many other attractions. The museum is open seven days a week, May 1-October 31. The site is staffed by volunteer docents. Admission is $3.00 for adults, $1.00 for teens, and 50 cents for children. For more (including 4 images), view the original article.