Historic Burgaw Train Depot Reborn as Community Center After Decades of Change
Century-old Burgaw landmark transformed from abandoned rail stop into a thriving community space preserving local history
BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — For more than a century, a historic train depot in Pender County has stood as a quiet witness to arrivals, departures, and the steady rhythm of life in the small town of Burgaw.
While many recognize Burgaw for its brick, Georgian Revival-style courthouse, the town’s true beginnings trace back just one block away—to a modest building on South Dickerson Street.
“Burgaw’s heart first beat here at the depot,” said Michael Y. Taylor, a retired librarian and local historian.
The restored structure is believed to be the oldest surviving train depot in North Carolina. Built around 1850 by the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad, it predates the founding of Burgaw by roughly 25 years.
“When Pender County was formed from New Hanover County, Burgaw Depot was selected to be the new county seat,” Taylor explained.
In its earliest days, the depot served as little more than a watering and wood stop for passing trains. But its role quickly expanded as the railroad helped shape the town’s growth.
In a 1983 interview with WWAY, then-mayor Charles M. Harrell, Sr., reflected on that impact.
“The town was basically founded because the railroad was here,” Harrell said. “They laid out the town with the wide streets we have today, and many were named for Coastline officials. It became a transportation hub for Burgaw and Pender County.”
The depot also played a role in one of the most significant chapters of American history. During the Civil War, Taylor says roughly 8,000 prisoners of war were gathered here ahead of an exchange between Confederate and Union forces following the fall of Fort Fisher and Wilmington.
“They were exchanged at a rate of about 1,600 prisoners a day,” he said.
After more than 100 years of service, the final train passed through Burgaw on January 30, 1986—an emotional moment for the community.
“It was a sad day,” Taylor recalled. “They even placed a funeral wreath on the front of the train.”
When the railroad abandoned the depot, ownership was transferred to the town. After years of disuse, the building was restored in 2007 and given new life.
Today, the depot serves as a civic center, home to the Chamber of Commerce, and a gathering space for events and local businesses. It also preserves the many stories that define Burgaw’s past.
For many residents, it’s more than just a historic structure—it’s a living record of the community.
Taylor hopes future generations will continue to learn from it.
“I hope people will hear the many stories this depot has to tell,” he said. “Stories about segregation, about the Civil War, and about the efforts to keep the United States united.”
He compares the depot’s history to the ebb and flow of the tides.
“For more than 120 years, it was the center of community life,” Taylor said. “Then the tide went out for decades, and it could have been lost. But the town embraced it—and the tide came back in.”
The Historic Burgaw Train Depot now features a banquet hall, conference space, offices, an outdoor dock, and a business incubator. It is also part of the Civil War Discovery Trail, connecting visitors to a deeper understanding of the region’s past.
