Aiken in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Aiken Railroad Depot

Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023

1. Aiken Railroad Depot Marker

Inscription. (Front)
The Aiken Railroad Depot was constructed in 1899 by the Southern Railway. Built largely to service the wealthy travelers who comprised the Aiken Winter Colony, including members of the Vanderbilt, Mellon, and Astor families, the depot was designed as a showpiece. It helped to facilitate Aiken’s position as a popular sporting destination, especially among wealthy northerners, in the early 20th century. (Continued on other side) (Reverse) (Continued from other side) Paul Welles, Division Superintendent of Southern Railway, hailed the Aiken depot as “second to none in the state,” when it opened. It served the community for over 50 years, but by 1954 had fallen out of use and was demolished. The depot that stands today is a reconstruction of the 1899 building. The reconstructed depot was completed in 2010 and now serves as the Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum.

Erected 2016 by Sponsored by Friends of the Aiken Railroad Depot. (Marker Number 2 60.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.

Location. 33° 33.457′ N, 81° 42.961′ W.

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Marker is in Aiken, South Carolina, in Aiken County. It is at the intersection of Park Avenue SE and Union Street SE, on the right when traveling west on Park Avenue SE. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 406 Park Avenue SE, Aiken SC 29801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Augusta

and in the Midlands.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: City of Aiken: A Glimpse Into Our Past (within shouting distance of this marker); How a Steam Engine Works (within shouting distance of this marker); Fast Food: Railroad Dining (within shouting distance of this marker); Bells and Whistles: Signaling (within shouting distance of this marker); Friendship Baptist Church

Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023

2. Aiken Railroad Depot Marker

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Friendship (African) Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Aiken County 125th Anniversary (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saint André Bessette (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aiken.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023

3. Aiken Railroad Depot Marker

Aiken Railroad Depot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023

4. Aiken Railroad Depot

Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023

5. Aiken Railroad Depot

Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 450 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 4, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.