Southern Terminal, Knoxville, Tennessee

The Southern Terminal is railway passenger and warehouse depot located at 306 W. Depot Street in Knoxville, Tennesee. The present depot was constructed in 1903, although previous structures are documented in the city from the 1850's. The 1903 depot was designed by Frank P. Milburn, who had designed train stations throughout the south. It is on the National Register of Historic Places, and lies within Knoxville's Jackson Avenue Historic District.

History

Knoxville's railroad history begins in 1836, when a meeting was held in the city to discuss development of a railroad. The Hiwassee line broke ground in 1837 near Athens, Tennessee. The railroad's name was changed to the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad in 1848. However, the railroad was not completed to Knoxville until 1854, and there are municipal references to a depot in Knoxville from this era. In 1852 the separate East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad company was chartered, and the rail line was extended from Knoxville to Bristol, Tennessee. The two rail lines were consolidated in 1869 as the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railway. After foreclosures, the railway became Southern Railway in 1887. Passenger service continued until 1970, when the building was vacated. However, the depot was renovated in 1989. It is presently used as offices.

Architecture

The depot is notable for it's signature corbel-stepped gables. It also has arched windows and coffered ceilings in the former waiting rooms and restaurant. The clock tower was removed in 1945, apparently due to structural problems. The dining rooms, baggage check, and mail rooms were located on the lower level of the facility. Ticketing and waiting rooms were on the upper level.

References

* Duncan, Tumblin & Pope, Albert E. Southern Railway Station Centennial booklet, 2003.
* Rule's History of Knoxville. Chapter 14: Transportation
* "The Future of Knoxville's Past: Historic and Architectural Resources in Knoxville, Tennessee." (Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission, October, 2006).

Links

* http://www.rrshs.org/