Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Depot

Photographed By Craig Swain, January 26, 2008

1. The Depot Marker

Inscription. The Freight Depot was built at the turn of the century, replacing a depot gutted by the disastrous fire of 1898. The wooden building is a fine example of railroad station architecture, with its wide overhangs to protect dock workers and freight from the elements.

The rail line was chartered in 1847 as the Alexandria and Harper's Ferry Railroad. It was reorganized in 1853 as the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire, but by the outbreak of the Civil War in 1860 had been constructed only from Alexandria to Leesburg. Reorganized yet again in 1870 as the Washington and Ohio Railroad, the rail line expanded westward. In 1911, it was renamed the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad.

For almost 60 years, the Depot was the gateway of commerce in Loudoun County. It operated as a freight depot until the rail line was abandoned in 1968. It was moved the two blocks to Market Station in 1984.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 39° 6.775′ N, 77° 33.766′ W. Marker is in Leesburg, Virginia, in Loudoun County. Marker is at the intersection of Harrison Street and Loudoun Street, on the right

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when traveling south on Harrison Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 Harrison Street SE, Leesburg VA 20175, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Osterburg Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); McKimmey's Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Dairy Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); Stationmaster's House (within shouting distance of this marker); Log House (within shouting distance of this marker); Norman-Harding Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); The Tolbert Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gen. George C. Marshall House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leesburg.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . .
1. Leesburg Freight Station. (Submitted on February 3, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad. Book by Ames Williams available on Amazon.com (Submitted on May 7, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.

3. Rails to the Blue Ridge: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, 1847 - 1968. (Submitted on May 7, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.

Marker on the Relocated Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, January 26, 2008

2. Marker on the Relocated Station

The Relocated Freight Depot image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain

3. The Relocated Freight Depot

Now located a few blocks north on Harrison Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,056 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2008, by Bernard H. Berne of Arlington, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 3, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on August 17, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.