What my urban exploring friends and I have forever deemed "The Train Station" is actually an old freight depot that was a stop along the Statesboro and Savannah railway to unload and reload cargo. I am not sure exactly if this was also a passenger loading area as well, but I do know that it was a warehouse for freight.
From what I have discovered, the line that finally reached downtown Statesboro in 1899 was the Cuyler and Woodburn line, although there were already quite a few lines stretching through various areas of Bulloch County before then. When Statesboro finally became a railway stop, the Central of Georgia purchased the line in 1901, and Statesboro was finally on the map as a stop on a continuous line from Dublin all the way to Savannah through the Central of Georgia. With the creation of this line, Statesboro went from a town of just 25 people in 1880 to one of 1,200 by 1900. The mere idea of Statesboro possibly becoming a major rail stop for different nearby lines attracted newcomers to town. Unfortunately for Statesboro, the hopes of becoming a major rail city were short lived. Speculation after 1900 predicted lines extending from Statesboro to places like, Atlanta, Athens, Wrightsville, and maybe even Chattanooga by 1907. But only one of the lines that the speculation listed actually decided to make Statesboro one of their stops. The Savannah, Augusta, and Northern laid a 26 mile track in 1907, connecting Statesboro to a junction of the Georgia and Florida railroad, which was known as Stephen's Crossing in Midville. Although the unrealistic dreams of Statesboro becoming a major rail center completely died, the town still found itself growing just by the energy created though the speculation. It was now a town of 2,500 residents by 1910, thanks to the establishment of an agricultural college in 1906 and the fact that it was one of the world's largest Sea Island Cotton markets, trading 1/8th of the world's supply. But just as the First District A&M school was beginning its first academic year, the supply and trade of cotton began to disappear, along with the virgin pine forests that brought in harvesters, and promises of a bustling town brought in by the railroads. The Midland Railroad that purchased the Savannah, Augusta, and Northern in 1915 eventually abandoned its line from Statesboro to Savannah in 1923. With that abandonment, along with the beginnings of the Great Depression, more and more lines connecting to the town became abandoned, making Statesboro an insignificant stop by 1938.
I have not be able to figure out any exact dates or much information after the 1930's relating to the Statesboro "Train Station" that is still standing today. I know that the building itself was turned into many different things throughout the years, such as a seafood market and restaurant, flea market, and then eventually, was abandoned altogether as far as I am aware.
This building is quite large, with a basement running the entire length of the structure. The damage done from sitting in the elements and receiving no upkeep has made the structure irreparable. There are some places that are not accessible whatsoever due to a caved in roof or floor because of many years of water damage from rain storms. The "warehouse" area is in the best condition, although the wall facing Railroad Street is beginning to cave in more and more over the last two years. This is one of the first locations of its kind that we have explored, and it has been quite a fascinating one with easily traceable history, which is likely one of my favorite things about the location. The amount of feet that walked the halls or the amount of people who have laid eyes on this old building as they passed by on a train has always intrigue me. I constantly wonder how it appeared to them back then, and what they would think if they saw it now in 2015.
I likely have the most photos of this location than any other, because I have been to it many times over the last 3 or 4 years, since it is literally 5 minutes away from where I live. It is always a cool place to explore, and it seems that each time I have been I have discovered something new.
This place is currently up for sale, so it is likely that its days are numbered. I am glad I have captured some cool photos of this location over the years. Hope you guys enjoy them as much as I do!
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| View from Railroad Street and East Main, downtown Statesboro, GA. |
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| Front of the building and old "Midtown Flea Market" sign above the door. |
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| Sliding door entrance to the warehouse section. |
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| Looking down East Main Street, downtown Statesboro, GA.. |
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| Showing the collapsed wall of the warehouse section. |
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| The Old tracks located to the left of the old station/ depot. |
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| Remnants of the Seafood Restaurant that used to exist in the front section after the closing of the depot. |
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| Warehouse section. |
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| Wallpaper in the front section of the building. From when it used to be a Seafood restaurant. |
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| Showing the collapsed ceiling and floor from water damage. Hallway connecting front section restaruant to the warehouse. |
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| Old Piano that has been practically destroyed in the warehouse section. |
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| Creepy basement stairs. Only way in or out of the basement. Located in the warehouse section. |
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| This was apart of the market/ restaurant front section. Seems to be a pick up window on the right. |
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| Guts of the old Piano in the warehouse section. |
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| Old rocking chair covering some of the holes in the floor. Warehouse section. |
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| Metal barred window in the warehouse section. Close to the sliding door that is pictured earlier in this series. |
