The Farmington Depot in Farmington, Georgia, is the last remaining depot on the rail line north of Madison. Land was purchased in 1893 for the rail line which was up and running at the turn of the century. The depot was built during that time period.
The depot was closed sometime in the 1950s or early 1960s, and by 1969, it was abandoned and used mostly for storage.
It has been used in various ways since its closing, including Mockingbird Forge (blacksmithing and ornamental iron), Frog’s Bait and Pest Control, Winterhawk Pottery and now Farmington Depot Gallery.
The rail line was primarily used for agricultural transport, bringing in seed, feed, coal, fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides. It also was used for hauling away cotton and cotton seed oil for the neighboring oil plant.
Though the line has been abandoned for 20 or so years, the majority of the track is in place. In December 1999 Norfolk and Southern suffered a significant derailment along Whitehall Road in Athens, resulting in the destruction of several hundred feet of track. Since the branch below Bishop was unused and was the same rail weight as what was used in Athens, Norfolk and Southern decided to pull some rail to replace what was damaged by the derailment. They chose to remove the rail in front of the depot as it would be easier than removing it from anywhere else. The ties remain. The property is still owned by Norfolk and Southern, and the Morrow family has a long-term lease on the property. Buddy Morrow’s mother was the last ticketed person before the lines closed and the end of passenger service.
The Farmington Depot Gallery opened its doors on September 4, 2010. Fourteen area artists are currently utilizing the property for a cooperative art gallery.
The depot was closed sometime in the 1950s or early 1960s, and by 1969, it was abandoned and used mostly for storage.
It has been used in various ways since its closing, including Mockingbird Forge (blacksmithing and ornamental iron), Frog’s Bait and Pest Control, Winterhawk Pottery and now Farmington Depot Gallery.
The rail line was primarily used for agricultural transport, bringing in seed, feed, coal, fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides. It also was used for hauling away cotton and cotton seed oil for the neighboring oil plant.
Though the line has been abandoned for 20 or so years, the majority of the track is in place. In December 1999 Norfolk and Southern suffered a significant derailment along Whitehall Road in Athens, resulting in the destruction of several hundred feet of track. Since the branch below Bishop was unused and was the same rail weight as what was used in Athens, Norfolk and Southern decided to pull some rail to replace what was damaged by the derailment. They chose to remove the rail in front of the depot as it would be easier than removing it from anywhere else. The ties remain. The property is still owned by Norfolk and Southern, and the Morrow family has a long-term lease on the property. Buddy Morrow’s mother was the last ticketed person before the lines closed and the end of passenger service.
The Farmington Depot Gallery opened its doors on September 4, 2010. Fourteen area artists are currently utilizing the property for a cooperative art gallery.