Coudersport and Port Allegany Railroad Station
Also known as: Couderspot Depot
Why it's listed
Built in 1899 and opened by January 1900, this two-and-one-half-story railroad station in Coudersport is constructed of local sandstone and red brick, with one-and-one-half-story wings at each end. Its bellcast gable roof overhangs the building, and the entrances have semicircular arches with fanlights. Built by H. A. Button of Coudersport at a contract cost of $6,000, with the railroad company adding plumbing and fittings for a total of between $8,000 and $10,000, it served as the headquarters of the Coudersport and Port Allegany Railroad as well as its passenger and freight depot. The station was built during a period of rapid growth in Potter County, when lumbering and new gas fields drove expansion. Its design is regarded as an early blend of Victorian elements with railroad station architecture. After the railroad declined and the building was abandoned in 1971, the borough bought it and began restoration in 1975.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the station is architecturally notable for adapting Victorian elements to railroad station design, and that it was regarded as an ornament to the town. It also ties the building to the railroad's role in the growth and prosperity of Potter County during the 1899-1904 period of lumbering and gas-field development.
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 76001673, listed November 21, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 201 S. West St., Coudersport |
|---|---|
| County | Potter County |
| Listed | November 21, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001673 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | H. A. Button (builder/contractor) |
| Architectural style | Vernacular |
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restoration began in 1975 with a new roof and interior repairs; Coudersport Borough purchased the property and several borough offices have been moved into the old depot. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.77084, -78.02177 (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 76001673.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15211803
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.