Calhoun Depot
Why it's listed
Beside the railroad tracks in downtown Calhoun, Georgia, stands a one-story brick depot built in 1852-53 for the state-owned Western and Atlantic Railroad. It holds an office, a waiting room and a large freight warehouse with an exposed beam ceiling, and loading platforms run along parts of the exterior. Brick piers, arched freight entrances and flat stone lintels give it a plain, utilitarian look. Its significance rests on architecture and transportation. The depot represents the simple antebellum stations Georgia built as the line was completed from Atlanta to Chattanooga, and its brick construction helped it survive the Civil War. The railroad also shaped the town: the community that grew around the depot became the seat of Gordon County in 1850 and was renamed Calhoun. The line served as a wartime supply route and figured in the Great Locomotive Chase. Passenger service ended in the 1960s, though freight use continues. Some alterations to doors, windows, platforms and interior rooms have occurred since 1910.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the depot is significant in architecture and transportation. It is an unpretentious antebellum depot built for its essential functions, reflecting frontier North Georgia. It also symbolizes the railroad's effect on the area, including the town's selection as county seat and the line's Civil War role.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82002422, listed August 26, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Between Court and Oothcalooga Sts., Calhoun |
|---|---|
| County | Gordon County |
| Listed | August 26, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002422 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still partly used by the railroad for freight; passenger service ended in the 1960s. The building is altered but in good condition, and the waiting room is currently inaccessible. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Calhoun Downtown Historic District |
| Coordinates | 34.50187, -84.95323 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82002422.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q28153488
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.