The Farmington Depot in Farmington, Georgia, is the last remaining depot on the rail line
north of Madison. The depot was closed sometime in the 1950's or early 1960's and by 1969 it
was abandoned. It has been used in various ways since it's closing including storage, Mockingbird
Forge (blacksmithing and ornamental iron), Frogs Bait and Pest Control, Winterhawk Pottery
and now Farmington Depot Gallery.
The 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
except close to the depot. 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 have a long-term lease on the property. Buddy
Morrows' mother was the last ticket person before the lines closing and the end of passenger service.
Seventeen area artists are currently leasing the property for an art gallery. The Farmington Depot Gallery
opened its doors on September 4, 2010.
