Leesburg Area Historical Society celebrates major progress on 1899 B&O Depot renovation
(Submitted photo)
After more than five years of planning and fundraising, the Leesburg Area Historical Society is delighted to announce that site improvements and a full exterior restoration of its train depot are nearly complete.
The depot has received structural reinforcement and has new windows and doors, except for the sliding doors in the freight area which were refurbished. Damaged siding was replaced, and the depot was repainted in its original 1899 red and cream color combination. New sidewalks were poured,and the original bricks from the boarding platform have been re-set.
In the next month a few more details will be added: period lighting, safety fencing near the tracks, and gutters.
The Board of Directors wishes to thank CFH Contracting of Cynthiana for their fine craftsmanship, and McCarty Associates, LLC for their management of the project. Funding for this project was primarily provided by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission through a matching funds grant.
The Board of Directors is indebted to the following major donors: the Valero Energy Foundation, the South Central Power Company Foundation, Modern Woodmen of America (Clinton/Highland County Chapter), Southern Hills Community Bank, Merchants National Bank, Huhtamaki, the Tom E. Dailey Foundation, and Greenfield Historical Society.
Even with this generous corporate and foundation support, the project would not have been possible without the donations of individuals, many of whom attended numerous events and deposited more than a few checks into the donation bucket.
A community celebration of the completion of the exterior restoration will be planned for next summer. In addition, the Historical Society has begun to raise funds for the renovation of the interior space. A kitchenette, bathroom, and gathering room are planned inside, all handicapped-accessible. The intention is to make the space available to the community for public and private events.
Those interested in helping support the project are invited to attend the fourth annual Heritage Breakfast at the Leesburg Fire Station Community room on Nov. 8 from 8-11 a.m. More information about the depot, the Society, and upcoming events is available at www.leesburghistory.org.
The Leesburg Area Historical Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization; donations may be made on its website or by mail to PO Box 63, Leesburg, Ohio 45135.