Program

Historic Transportation

Subject

Industry & Commerce, Site, Transportation

Location

181 School St, Lindenhurst, NY 11757, USA

Lat/Long

40.688212031844, -73.375970639559

Grant Recipient

Lindenhurst Historical Society

The Welwood Station Depot has had many lives since its construction ca. 1868. Depot, school, firehouse and private residence, the structure provided a carousel of service to the surrounding community throughout its existence.

Though located now on School Street, the building was initially constructed approximately 1000 feet south east as the crow flies, where the historical marker commemorating the South Side Railroad is now located. The depot was the first in the area and operated as a stop on the South Side Railroad. Around 1870, the depot was moved to its current location and refitted as a school, when a larger depot was constructed to replace it.

From ca. 1870 – 1878, the former depot would operate as a school. After which, once more it would be repurposed; this time as a firehouse when another school was constructed. Not long after, the building was once more altered to serve as a private residence, which, as of 2024, the structure continues to function as. The building offers a glowing example of adaptive reuse of a historic structure.

Like the ever-changing role of the Welwood Station Depot commemorated on this historical marker, the surrounding community would see a rapid development and shift during this period, which was largely brought about by the access provided by the South Side Railroad. As the community grew, it changed its name from Welwood Station to Breslau in 1870. Then, to Lindenhurst in 1891.