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WALKER
COUNTY REGIONAL
HERITAGE/TRAIN MUSEUM
in CHICKAMAUGA GEORGIA
(The Train Depot)
Sometime
around 1888-89, the first railroad was
built to the little town of Crawfish
Springs, later renamed Chickamauga,
Georgia. A Syndicate Company bought
large tracts of land for the railroad
and a large summer resort. The
painting and sketch below shows how
the train depot and Park Hotel appeared
in the 1890's. The hotel opened in 1891
and the train depot was built with expectations
of many visitors. But, the dreams of
the investors did not materialize, and
in 1898 the hotel was used as a hospital
for soldiers at Camp Thomas, located
in the Chickamauga Battlefield, in training
for the Spanish-American War.
It was later demolished and replaced
with the two-story brick community house
which survives today.
Panting
by Don Montgomery
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The
stone depot was constructed by the Central
of Georgia Railroad and trains made
round trips twice a day between Chattanooga
and Cedartown, stopping in Chickamauga.
Passenger service
stopped in the early 50's and the depot
was locked in the late 60's. Over
the years, the depot was used by the
City Schools, as a public library, by
the Recreation Association and Walker
County; until the City of Chickamauga
was deeded the property in the late
1990's.
The
Train Depot has been restored and houses
the Walker County Regional Heritage
and Model Train Museum. The museum
exhibits War Between the States collectables,
Indian artifacts and Cherokee arrowheads,
WWI artifacts, antique guns and furniture
and a complete working display of Lionel
Old Gauge model trains that date back
to 1947. Model train engines,
cars, and parts are also sold in the
depot.
Hours
are from 10 am to 4 pm Thesday thru Saturday,
closed on Sunday and Monday. Admission is $2.00 and
parking is free.
A
steam locomotive carries passengers
on excursions and day trips from Chattanooga
during the summer months, stopping at
the Chickamauga Depot. Phone 706-375-4488
for additional information.
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