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

Monday, August 18, 2025

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

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.

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"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]