Preservation Prevails

Chatham Railway Station with new roof.

Chatham Railway Station before work began.

After eight years of frustration, the Pittsylvania Historical Society can finally proclaim partial success in its effort to preserve the 1918 Southern Railway Depot in Chatham. This structure, which was once the social and economic epicenter of the region, had stood neglected since railroad passenger and freight service ceased in 1975. The Depot roof was in an advanced stage of deterioration and all interior elements had been stripped by vandals. The building was scheduled for total demolition on two occasions.

Chatham historian Frances Hallam Hurt solicited funds from several local preservationists to purchase the Depot from Norfolk Southern. Ennis Business Forms donated the adjacent property which was the former Southern States warehouse. These properties provided the matching funds for the Society to seek preservation grants.

The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted to sponsor the preservation project and submitted grant applications for Transportation Enhancement funds administered by VDOT. Grants were finally received and in May 2006, contractors started the demolition of the deteriorated roof. Phase I restoration was completed in March 2007, with the installation of a new burgundy French tile roof. A grant application has been filed with VDOT for funding to complete the interior restoration.

It is still too early to declare a historical preservation victory. However, this once-vital structure which was neglected by its owner, raided by vandals, taken over by vagrants, shunned by local citizens, and with its fate left to weather elements to assure its destruction, now has a chance for being restored to its historical and architectural significance. All Pittsylvania Historical Society members should take pride in their organization, which is chartered to spearhead such efforts.

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