Magnolia station facts for kids

The Depot
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Magnolia Depot, circa 1960s
Location in Mississippi Show map of Mississippi Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	101 E. Railroad Avenue Magnolia, Mississippi
Area	less than one acre
Built	c. 1895
Architectural style	Queen Anne
NRHP reference No.	84000045
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	October 11, 1984

Magnolia station is a historic railway station located at 101 E. Railroad Avenue, in Magnolia, Mississippi. The depot was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 as The Depot and was designated a Mississippi Landmark in 2006.

Description

In 1893, a fire destroyed Magnolia's railway depot that was constructed in 1856. Between 1893 and 1895, the present structure was built on the same site, next to the Illinois Central Railroad.

The depot is a one-story, wood-frame building with a rectangular floor plan. It was designed to accommodate both freight and passengers at the turn of the 20th century, when Magnolia served as a resort destination. The depot has a gable roof design with wide eaves. The track side of the building was designed with irregular placement of sash windows, a bay window, single entrance doors, and freight doors. The opposite side of the building had single entrance doors and sash windows.

Restoration

By 1982, the building was used as an antique store and no longer served as a railway station. During the first decade of the 21st century, the City of Magnolia acquired the property for use as a city hall. Because of the structure's age and deterioration of the foundation, complete exterior restoration was required, but the original windows and siding were retained for historical integrity. New exterior doors were installed, and the freight doors were removed and were replaced with windows. For the interior, original doors, wood flooring, and beadboard walls were retained and restored. Renovation also included new plumbing and electrical wiring.

Grants for restoration were provided by Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the Mississippi Department of Transportation. Restoration was completed in 2011. The structure serves as Magnolia's City Hall.