Charles Town, WV: 1888-1960s Lost/B&O/Winchester & Potomac Depot

(Satellite, pin provided by coltex.)

Jefferson County WV History - Harpers Ferry, Charles Town and Beyond posted six photos with the comment:

Since Russell Graves asked me about the former B&O station in Charles Town, I really wanted to know the story.  Here’s a timeline I was able to cobble together. I knew it was originally the W&P (Winchester & Potomac) but wasn’t sure who built the station we are referring to. It certainly looked like a Baldwin design. Here’s what I uncovered 

Charles Town W&P / B&O Railroad Station Timeline

 • c. 1842 – W&P Depot

First Charles Town station, located near North & Mildred Street, built by the Winchester & Potomac Railroad. This was the original depot before B&O involvement.

 • July 1, 1867 – B&O Lease

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad begins operating the W&P under a long-term lease, though the W&P remains a separate legal entity.

 • 1880 – Brick Passenger Depot

New brick passenger depot constructed just north of East North Street. Built during the B&O’s operation of the W&P, likely designed in the B&O style (often attributed to architect E. Francis Baldwin). Opened in 1880.

 • 1902 – B&O Acquisition

The B&O formally acquires the W&P Railroad.

What happened to the 1880 depot ?:

Regular B&O passenger service at the Charles Town brick depot ended on August 20, 1949 (the “Valley 54/55” last run). The building lingered afterward, but the story ends when a fire destroyed the station sometime in the 60’s. Local coverage at the time noted the depot had been a designated landmark with preservation plans underway; the site (by North & Mildred Sts.) is a parking area today (Creamers).

Key takeaway:

The 1840s depot was a W&P-built structure. The 1880 depot was built under B&O operation but before legal ownership transfer, so historically it can be described as a B&O depot on the W&P lin as

Joseph Topping: https://blog.coltex.net/charles-towns-b-and-o-depot/

The 1880 depot was demolished some time between 1962 and 1965 according to photographic evidence. [But the article he cites specifies 1980 because of a devastating fire.]

Rudolph J Vorndran Jr shared

Thomas Dunne shared

Wade Rice Jr: Most of these photos are from the Thomas Underwood Collection, posted on Flickr at the John W. Barriger Library online site. The non-Underwood photos are of the one with the old cars, and another with more modern vehicles.

Joseph Topping: Wade Rice Jr one of the photos is mine without credit.

David Coldren: Looks like some photos of an RDC excursion trip from the late 50s.

Thomas Dunne: Charles Town W&P / B&O Railroad Station Timeline

1. First Depot (c. 1842) Winchester & Potomac Era

• Location: Near the corner of North & Mildred Streets.

• Built by: Winchester & Potomac Railroad (W&P), which connected Harpers Ferry to Winchester, VA.

• Purpose: Served as Charles Town’s original passenger and freight station.

• Status: Replaced by a new structure in 1880.

2. B&O Lease of W&P (July 1, 1867)

• The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad began operating the W&P under a long-term lease.

• W&P remained legally independent, but B&O provided equipment, crews, and infrastructure improvements.

• Passenger and freight service continued through Charles Town under B&O branding.

3. The 1880 Brick Passenger Depot

• Construction Date: Opened in 1880 during B&O operation, but before B&O officially owned the W&P.

• Design: Likely designed by E. Francis Baldwin, B&O’s chief architect, known for Victorian Gothic-influenced brick stations.

o Distinctive steep slate roof, decorative wood trim, and central cupola.

o Similar in style to other B&O depots from the same era.

• Location: Just north of East North Street, beside the tracks.

• Function: Served passenger traffic on the Valley line between Harpers Ferry and Winchester.

4. B&O Acquisition of W&P (1902)

• The B&O formally purchased the W&P.

• Charles Town Station remained a regular stop for passenger trains, including named B&O services.

5. Decline of Passenger Service

• August 20, 1949: Last regular passenger trains (“Valley 54/55”) stopped at the depot.

• Post-1949: Used for occasional rail excursions, special trains, and limited freight service.

• By the 1950s–60s, activity was minimal.

6. Destruction and Aftermath

• 1960s: The brick depot was destroyed by fire (exact year varies in accounts, likely mid-60s).

• At the time, local newspapers noted that the depot had been designated a landmark and there were preservation discussions.

• Today: The site is a parking lot (Creamer’s area), with no surviving station structure.

Key Takeaways

• Two distinct depots:

1. 1842 wood-frame W&P depot (North & Mildred Streets.).

2. 1880 brick B&O-era depot (photos you shared).

• The 1880 depot was constructed during B&O’s operation but before full ownership—historically correct to call it a B&O depot on the W&P line.

• Its architecture and detailing strongly suggest Baldwin’s influence.

• Passenger service ended in 1949; the building survived another decade or so before the fire

Kevin M. Breeden: Thank you so much for the information. The only question I have is when was the brick station removed? The one that burned was wood, and smaller..

Joseph Topping: Kevin M. Breeden some time between 1962 and 1965.

1

2

3

4
"Photograph of a B&O Budd RDC at the Charles Town B&O Depot, chartered by the Washington Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society for a fan trip in 1962. Taken by Thomas Underwood." [coltex]

5

6

Taylor Lewis commented on the above post

Joseph topping posted six photos with the comment:

The Charles Town, West Virginia, B&O passenger station was built in 1880 and designed by renowned B&O architect E. Francis Baldwin. It was located on the old Winchester & Potomac “Valley Line” that connected Harpers Ferry with Strasburg/Winchester, linking Jefferson County’s farms, factories, mail, and travelers to the broader Mid-Atlantic economy. In the early 20th century, the depot handled multiple daily trains; by 1948, service had reduced to one train each way, and regular B&O passenger service ended on August 20, 1949. However, special excursions for the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival and race-day trains to Charles Town Races continued into the 1950s and 60s. The depot was known locally for its brick walls, slate roof, and its central role in community life. It was demolished sometime between 1962 and 1965—either by the wrecking ball or fire (the record is unclear)—and the site is now a parking lot for an auto garage along the still-active CSX line. Together, the station and its Valley Line connections helped shape Charles Town’s growth and daily life for nearly a century.

Additional information: https://blog.coltex.net/charles-towns-b-and-o-depot/

Anthony Suppers: It was sadly set on fire by a couple of kids back in the 60s. I just drove by not half an hour ago where it was and the building across from it is still there.

These are the three photos that were not in his previous post.

a

b

c

1955/57 Middleway and 1953/53 Charles Town Quads @ 24,000