The City of Hopkinsville is continuing to work with community historians and interested parties looking to restore the historic L&N train depot.
The depot is in the hands of the City following a deed transfer from the Christian County-Hopkinsville Development Corporation in April.
The depot was built by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad in 1892 between East 9th and 10th streets. It last served as a home for the Pennyroyal Arts Council before an electrical fire forced the organization to relocate.
Since then, the building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, has remained dormant and virtually unattended, leading to a state of disrepair.
Because of its historic value to the city, Margaret Macdonald, a retired English teacher and school librarian, is one of several people who remains active in a “Save our Hopkinsville L&N Depot!” Facebook group that began a petition to save the building that has nearly 1,200 signatures.
Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight said meetings and discussions about the depot are ongoing.
click to download audioIn January, City Administrative Officer Troy Body told the city council an engineer said it would cost about $1 million to just stabilize the building and foundation.
Knight has long said the biggest question isn’t how to fix it but how to pay for it.
click to download audioBecause the depot is seen as a city treasure and could be turned into a jewel of the downtown area, Knight said its important for all sides to work together to find a solution.
click to download audioThe L&N Depot is a single-story building with six rooms — three waiting rooms, a baggage room, a ticket office, and a ladies’ restroom. The nearby freight station was sold at auction earlier this year.
