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RAILROAD DEPOT

Program
Historic Transportation
Subject
Site, Transportation
Location
144 Wells Ave, Middleburgh, NY 12122, USA
Lat/Long
42.600532081655, -74.332084413828
Grant Recipient
Middleburgh Historical Society
Historic Marker

RAILROAD DEPOT

Inscription

RAILROAD DEPOT
BUILT 1880 BY MIDDLEBURGH &
SCHOHARIE RR. 5-MILE LINE
EST. 1867 CEASED OPERATION
IN 1936. DEPOT LATER MOVED
HERE & RAIL YARD BECAME PARK.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2024

In the village of Middleburgh in Schoharie County, New York, stands a railroad depot built in 1880 by the Middleburgh & Schoharie Railroad, a five-mile line established in Middleburgh in 1867. The railroad ran from Middleburgh to the neighboring village of Schoharie, where it then made a connection with the Schoharie Valley Railroad. For many years, the line provided both passenger and freight service and was used to transport lumber and agricultural products such as hops. However, by the 1930s traffic on the Middleburgh & Schoharie Railroad slowed significantly. By that point, the railroad needed considerable repairs to continue safe operation that could not be afforded, and so the decision was made to officially abandon the line in 1936.

After this, the tracks were sold for scrap and the New York Power and Light Corporation purchased the railroad right of way in 1938. The former rail yard property was deeded by the New York Power and Light Corporation to the village of Middleburgh for the specific purpose of being used as a park and free public parking. The depot building located on the former rail yard property was purchased by a separate party in 1938, under the condition that it would be removed from the property within 60 days of purchase. The depot was relocated across the street and for a period was used as a private home. The former rail yard property was made into a park by the village. Eventually the depot was acquired by the village as well and now serves as a treasured historical structure that is used to bring greater recognition to the significance and impact of the Middleburgh & Schoharie Railroad in the history of this community.