History with ‘Hud’: Highlighting Burgaw’s train depot, the oldest still standing in NC
BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — The town of Burgaw is growing rapidly, as the surrounding communities quickly expand, too. But if it wasn’t for the arrival of a train depot in the middle 1800s, still visible in town today, the community may have never existed.
The Burgaw Train Depot was built in 1850, making it the oldest still standing in the state and one of only two antebellum depots still in North Carolina.
Just over a decade after being constructed, the Civil War left its mark on the structure with the Union Calvary setting it ablaze in 1862. Thankfully, the fire was quickly put out, but charred damage can still be viewed on part of the building today.
A few years later, towards the end of the Civil War in 1865, the depot came into play again when it was used as a Confederate headquarters for retreating generals and their troops. The structure was the site of a massive prisoner exchange a few weeks after the Fall of Fort Fisher and Wilmington.
Around a decade later, Pender County was created out the northern half of the then-larger New Hanover County in 1875, with land being donated by the railroad in the same year to create the town of Burgaw.
Passenger waiting rooms and rail offices were added to the south end in 1898 as rail travel became more refined along the longest rail line in the area at the time, spanning 161 miles from Raleigh to Wilmington. Another building expansion project took place between 1916 and 1917, as the rain lines opened to more northern cities as markets for local fresh fruits and vegetables.
The train station remained very active through the 1980s, with the last train rolling through Burgaw around 1985. The 300-yard-long station was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
The historic complex was renovated in 2009, and now offers a banquet hall and conference room along with a transportation museum.
Streets around town still beat the named of prominent railroad men, making sure residents and visitors never forget the importance the railroad once played in putting Burgaw on the map.
Meteorologist Matthew Huddleston (‘Hud’) has always had two major loves – weather and history. While you can watch him talk about weather each morning on WWAY, he looks forward to bringing you a little piece of history each Thursday on WWAY’s website.
To read other History with ‘Hud’ segments, click HERE.
