I just spent some time in former AB&C territory looking for depots which are reported to still exist. The Haralson GA depot- according to a local resident- was bought and moved to "south Georgia", but couldn't be more specific. Union City GA failed to make it's presense known, as did Coolidge GA. I spoke to the mayor of Coolidge and she would like any information on their depot we're able to dig up. All of these buildings are in private hands according to Larry's book on the AB&C. Any info regarding their specific whereabouts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

-- Bob Venditti (bobvend@bellsouth.net), June 21, 2002

Answers

Lilly is the only small-town wood depot left in its original location on the Atlanta-Waycross mainline. Ideal is almost in its original location - it was moved across the tracks. Other station buildings between Atlanta and Waycross in their original location include Manchester (brick station/yard office), Cordele (freight station, wood but with new siding), and Fitzgerald (passenger station, now a museum and city office).

-- Larry Goolsby (LGoolsby@aphsa.org), October 04, 2002.

Bob, i run the fitz to atlanta frt pool out of fitzgerald ga, have wondered for years about the locations of various depots. you bring up a good subject. i believe that the Lilly, Ga. depot is the only one still in it's original location, hasn't been moved at all. i'm talking between waycross and atlanta. does anyone know?

-- dan henderson (dghender@surfsouth.com), October 03, 2002.

The Haralson, GA, depot was, I believe, sold to D. K. Freeman, retired freight agent for the Atlanta & West Point RR. He moved it to his residence (farm?) and I do not know exactly where that is. I do know he was freight agent at College Park, GA (but did not live there) when last I saw him.

Bob Hanson

-- Robert H. Hanson (RHanson669@aol.com), June 25, 2002.

Bob, an addendum - perhaps you meant Junction City, not Union City. Junction City at last report was on land owned by the Brown family between Junction City and Howard. When I looked at it, the original owner, Carl Brown, took me to it but he has since passed away. Check at the Brown Bros. Sand Co. (southwest of Junction City on the highway to Mauk) and ask for Steve Brown, who should know the current status.

-- Larry Goolsby (LGoolsby@aphsa.org), June 25, 2002.

Bob, I don't have any specifics on Coolidge and Haralson. I based the info in my book on reports that were several years old but I believe it's correct they still exist. However, I can't supply any more details than that and like you would welcome confirmation of the existence and exact location of these two. As for Union City, the AB&C depot there has been gone for many years to my knowledge, but the ex-A&WP station is there, a couple of blocks northeast of the old AB&C depot site. The A&WP building is set back from the street somewhat, and the narrow end faces the street, so you can easily ride right by it without noticing it. As I recall it's used for the Chamber of Commerce office or something of that nature.

-- Larry Goolsby (LGoolsby@aphsa.org), June 25, 2002.

Roanoke and Wadley, AL were still standing last time I visited (2 yrs. ago - maybe more). Both are interesting 'Florida-looking' structures stuck in the Alabama hills.

-- David Harris (harrida@auburn.edu), June 24, 2002.

I was in Union City, Ga on 6/18/02. My father pointed out to me the spot next to the tracks where the AB&C depot once sat. No idea where it is today, if it still exists. Likewise, he showed me the spot where the Fife,Ga depot once stood. I'm pretty sure that it was torn down. He remembers both of these from his growing-up days in South Fulton county. I was able to go inside of the large A&WP depot at Union City that is now used as a community center. It has been moved about 100 yds from the tracks. Most of the interior has been renovated, but the ticket window with bars remains. The outside still retains classic depot features. Both of these depots were in sight of each other...about 300 yds or so apart.....must of been quite a sight when trains on both tracks were passing thru town. (Still is.) Both lines paralled each other until the AB&C passed underneath the A&WP on their respective routes to Atlanta.

-- Greg Hodges (ghodges@smpsfa.com), June 22, 2002.