History of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot

When you meet at the Washington Civic Center, you step back in time to a day when railroads were a primary means of transportation. The 100+ year old Atlantic Coast Line Railroad is steeped in history. . .and it shows throughout the building.

The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad depot, circa 1904, was built in an era when railroads and other land-based transportation began to rival the local waterways as an efficient means to ship trade goods and passengers. The passenger depot and freight station now serve as the Washington Civic Center and the offices of the Beaufort County Arts Council.

Construction on the buildings began in 1903, about 13 years after city residents approved issuing $10,000 in municipal bonds to buy property for a terminal for the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad.  Wilmington and Weldon Railroad later consolidated in 1895 to become the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.

The passenger depot was completed in 1904 at a cost of $12,000.  The 14,000 square foot warehouse was completed in 1906.  Trains from Kinston, Greenville, Rocky Mount, Tarboro, Weldon and Plymouth met at the Washington junction and exchanged passengers and mail.

In 1967 the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and the Seaboard Air Line combined their resources to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad.  In 1970 the railroad ceased its operation of tracks in Washington.  The ownership of the property was transferred to the City of Washington in 1976.  The City began its quest for renovation of the depot and freight warehouse on July 11, 1976.  Strong local community effort and support made this project possible.

In 1985 the City was able to use a $500,000 Housing and Urban Development grant. The completion of the project for the adaptive reuse of the building as a cultural arts and civic center was completed in the mid 1980’s.

The passenger depot and freight station now serve as the Civic Center and offices for the Beaufort County Arts Council.