Dunedin in Pinellas County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Orange Belt Railway Station
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 11, 2013
1. Orange Belt Railway Station Marker
In 1888, this site was the original location of the Orange Belt Railway Station. A newer station was built in 1900, but burned down. The present station was built in 1924, and used by the Atlantic Coast Railroad Company until the railroad was discontinued in the late 1970's. By the late 1980's, the tracks were removed and the Pinellas Trail now occupies the track bed. This historic station is one of only a few remaining buildings left that exemplify the area's railroad history. Today, this building is occupied by the Dunedin Historical Society & Museum, and showcases collections from Dunedin's history.
Erected 2012 by City of Dunedin.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Railroads & Streetcars.
Location. 28° 0.707′ N, 82° 47.329′ W. Marker is in Dunedin, Florida, in Pinellas County. Marker is on Main Street east of Railroad Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Marker is mounted directly on subject building, near the entrance facing Main Street, at eye-level just left of the door. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 349 Main Street, Dunedin FL 34698, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Purple Heart Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Votes For Women
this page online
Also see . . .
1. The Orange Belt Railway. Tap Lines website entry:
The railroad was built in a rural agricultural area, that produced traffic only in the late Winter and early Spring. The Orange Belt Investment Co. owned hundreds of thousand of acres, but growth was slow in this section. Only a third of the road was profitable and that was the line from Lachoochee to St. Petersburg. All the communities along the Gulf coast prospered. However the other two thirds of the railroad ran in the red, which brought the railroad into receivership in 1893. The road was sold by the court, right back to its owners, and they reorganized as the Sanford and St. Petersburg RR. The
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 11, 2013
2. Orange Belt Railway Station Marker (wide view; marker visible between window and door)
2. History of the Orange Belt Railway. DocsLib website PDF:
Excursions were popular during the tourist season, from January to Easter. A Tarpon Springs Special was usually run from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs and back. There was also seasonal fruit and vegetable traffic from December to June. This consisted of Tangerines in December, Oranges from January to March and early vegetables from March to May. A watermelon rush would occur in June. The road was built through rolling hills, around lakes and through swamps, crossing only one river, the Withlacoochee at Lacoochee. This railroad was almost a roller coaster, as it was built with the lay of the ground, however the average grade did not exceed one percent. The road also had many curves, avoiding the many lakes and swamps on the route. (Submitted on December 25, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 12, 2013
3. Orange Belt Railway Station
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 12, 2013
4. Orange Belt Railway Station Door
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 11, 2013
5. Atlantic Coast Line / Railway Express Agency Cart
Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 850 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 25, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
