Culpeper Depot: a center of commerce

A center of commerce, culture and transportation, the Culpeper Depot has changed form four times through the ages.

The Orange & Alexandria Railroad first built two depots in 1852 at the current location on Commerce Street - one each for freight and passengers.

These buildings survived the Civil War, including the Sunday morning Battle of Culpeper Court House Sept. 13, 1863 fought right around the Depot.

In 1874, a new train depot was built, but it burned in 1903.

A year later, Culpeper’s fourth and final Depot went up.

In 1985, Norfolk Southern requested permission to demolish a portion of the-then dilapidated structure; thankfully, a committee formed to save the circa-1904 Depot. The town, working with Culpeper Renaissance, obtained federal grant funds to accomplish the $400,000-plus project and it was finished in 2003.

Today, the restored Depot houses the Chamber of Commerce, Visitor’s Center, the Department of Tourism and various rooms for public meetings and events.—by Allison Brophy Champion