Cincinnati, Richmond & Muncie Depot

The Cincinnati, Richmond & Muncie Depot (also known as the Wysor Street Depot) is a restored train station in Muncie, Indiana, United States. It was originally built in 1901 and was acquired by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway in 1910. The station was used for passenger train service throughout the 20th century and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. It is currently used as a visitor center and office space for the adjacent Cardinal Greenway.

History

The station was originally built by the Cincinnati, Richmond and Muncie Railroad (CR&M) in 1901. The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) acquired the CR&M in 1910. C&O discontinued passenger service to Muncie in 1949, but the station remained in use for freight service until 1950 when the Muncie Gear Works became its new tenant. In 1973, Chessie System (which eventually became CSX Transportation) returned the station to active passenger service so it could be used by Amtrak on the "James Whitcomb Riley" and "George Washington" routes (which eventually became the "Cardinal"). The station again was removed from passenger service when the "Cardinal" was rerouted in 1986. [cite web| url=http://www.delgreenways.org/History/depot_story.htm| title=Wysor Street Depot History| author=Giese, Michael| year=2002| publisher=Cardinal Greenway| accessdate=2007-04-28| ] The station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on 1997-04-14. Restoration of the station began in 2003. [cite web| url=http://www.delgreenways.org/Construction/Depot/index.htm| title=Depot restoration| publisher=Cardinal Greenway| year=2002| accessdate=2007-04-28| ] The restoration was completed and the building reopened to the public on 2005-06-05. [cite web| url=http://www.indianatrails.org/Cardinal_Greenway_Muncie.htm| title=Cardinal Greenway| publisher=Indiana Trails.org| accessdate=2007-04-28| ]

The building is now used as a visitor center and office for the Cardinal Greenway recreation trail (a trail which uses the former C&O right-of-way). On display inside are photos and artifacts from the region's railroad history as well as photographs of the surrounding communities. Although the former C&O track has since been removed, a second parallel track, now owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad, remains in operation; it is separated from the Cardinal Greenway trail by a fence to ensure visitors' safety.

References