Elkins in Randolph County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
The Railroad Builds Elkins
Built as the center of booming railroad expansion, the new city was declared to be "decidedly the most accessible point in the State."
The sleepy village that became Elkins was selected by Senators Henry Gassaway Davis and Stephen B. Elkins to be the hub of their West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh Railroad. The railroad moved coal and timber to markets, and connected this remote area to larger eastern cities. The city prospered with diverse populations of workers and thriving commercial stores. The growing industrial center soon won the county seat from the older agrarian town of Beverly.
A small wooden depot, erected in 1889 by the WVC&P, sat on the site of the present depot. That depot was moved to a nearby location for the construction of the brick, Romanesque Revival-styled, Western Maryland Railroad depot built in 1908.
Timeline
1881: Formation of the West Virginia Central & Pittsburgh Railway (WVC&P)
1889: WVC&P reaches Elkins
1890: City of Elkins incorporated
1893-1894: Shops erected in the rail yard
1899: Elkins declared the Randolph County seat
1905: WVC&P integrated into Western Maryland Railroad
1908: Western MarylandRailroad Depot constructed
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1958: Passenger service to and from Elkins terminated
1981: Fire destroys the Elkins roundhouse
1985: CSX abandons Elkins to Cumberland, Maryland line
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 38° 55.489′ N, 79° 51.059′ W. Marker is in Elkins, West Virginia, in Randolph County. Marker is on Railroad Avenue just south of 3rd Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 Railroad Ave, Elkins WV 26241, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Working the Railyard (within shouting distance of this marker); War in West Virginia (within shouting distance of this marker); The Darden Mill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Western Maryland Railway Honor Roll (about 500 feet away); H.W. Daniels Post No. 29 (about 500 feet away); Henry Gassaway Davis (approx. ¼ mile away); Stephen Benton Elkins / Halliehurst (approx. 0.3 miles away); All Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elkins.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 30, 2021
3. National Register of Historic Places for the Western Maryland Railroad Depot
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 206 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 1, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A photo of the Western Maryland Railroad Depot building • Can you help?
