Athens B & O Train Depot
Why it's listed
Built circa 1890 beside the railroad tracks at Depot and Union Streets, this one-story depot served as the main passenger station for the city of Athens, Ohio. The rectangular building measures 128.5 feet by 25.5 feet and follows the stick style, with a multi-pitched gable roof, gabled dormers, tongue and groove siding and a stone block foundation. Inside are a passenger waiting room, ticketing room, baggage office and several offices. Around 1915 a circular tower section on the south side was removed and the open east and west ends were enclosed. The depot is significant for its link to transportation. After a flood destroyed the canal, the railroad became the hub of the local economy, carrying coal, natural resources and manufactured goods. A fur processing company, planing mill, foundry, worker housing and the Railroad Hotel grew up nearby. It is the only train depot still standing in Athens and the best local example of the stick style.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the depot represents transportation as the catalyst for Athens' industrial, economic and residential growth. It is the only train depot still standing in Athens, and its stick style is called the best example of that style in the city. Nearby industries and the Railroad Hotel grew up because of the depot and the railroad.
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 83001944, listed January 11, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Depot St., Athens |
|---|---|
| County | Athens County |
| Listed | January 11, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83001944 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1890 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Stick style |
| Areas of significance | Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Marked occupied and in fair condition; altered circa 1915, when a circular tower section was removed and both ends were enclosed. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 39.32906, -82.10576 (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 83001944.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4813464
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.