History of the Huntsville Historic Depot
The historic Huntsville Depot and grounds are part of a 7-acre site in the heart of downtown Huntsville. The property includes the oldest passenger depot (circa 1860) still standing in Alabama and one of the oldest in the country. This three-story brick structure was originally the eastern division headquarters of the Memphis to Charleston Railroad Company.
On April 11, 1862, the Huntsville Depot was captured by Federal troops, under the command of General O.M. Mitchell. The building was used as a prison for Confederate soldiers. Graffiti left by the captured soldiers can still be seen on the interior walls.
In February 1898, the Huntsville Depot and railroad were sold to Southern Railway Systems.
President William McKinley visited the Depot on April 30, 1901, as part of a whistlestop tour through the South. The President and his wife appeared from the rear of the train to greet the crowd.
In 1912, the Depot’s interior was significantly remodeled, and the yellow, one-story brick building directly behind and east of the passenger depot was added to house and handle baggage and transported goods.
In April of 1950, Dr. Werner Von Braun and his team of German rocket scientists arrived in Huntsville at the Depot.
Passenger service was discontinued at the Depot in 1967 after Southern Railway discontinued its Tennessean service between New York, Washington, D.C., Chattanooga and Memphis.
The Depot was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 10, 1971. The following year, the City of Huntsville purchased the property with the intent to preserve the Depot and restore it to its original condition.
Across the railroad tracks, to the north, once stood the 1856 Freight Depot. It was one of the oldest railway facilities in the country before it was destroyed by fire in 2004. Norfolk Southern retains some freight and service operations north of the tracks and Depot.
The brick building, with large plate-glass windows, next to the boxcar was originally a mid-20th-century car dealership. Referred to as the Auto House, it once contained several restored antique vehicles.
Across the lawn, to the south, is a 1937 turntable originally from a railway facility in Tennessee. It was installed on-site in the 1980s.
Adjacent to the turnstable is a reconstructed Roundhouse that is rented for celebrations and community events. The original Huntsville roundhouse was located north of the railroad tracks.
The other shop-style outbuilding is one of several built in the 1980s and used for events and programs. After the death of Aunt Eunice, a well-known local restauranter, some of the signage and décor from her restaurant was moved to the site in her honor. In recent years, the building has been used as a bridal dressing room to support wedding events at the Roundhouse.
Depot Site Timeline
| 1860 | Huntsville Train Depot is completed |
| 1967 | Depot passenger service is discontinued |
| 1971 | Depot building is placed on the National Historic Register. City purchases the property the following year. |
| 1992 | Depot becomes a transportation museum. Reproduction buildings are added to the property to interpret train and automotive transportation |
| 1995 | City of Huntsville gives the care and operation of the Historic Depot, Roundhouse and outbuildings to the Alabama Constitution Village Board of Directors |
| 2001 | First annual Rocket City BBQ Cook-off and Whistle Stop Festival takes place at the Depot grounds |
| 2004 | Contents of Aunt Eunice’s Country Kitchen restaurant, loaned to Depot and placed on display in Depot outbuilding refurbished to resemble the landmark establishment |
| 2005 | Alabama Constitution Village Board of Directors establishes Depot Visioning Committee to determine future plans for the site |
| 2007 | Baggage express area at Huntsville Depot is transformed into a children’s play area |
| 2004 | Fire destroys train shed, oldest in the state |
| 2024 | Depot property returns to City of Huntsville oversight |
| 2025 | City of Huntsville assesses structures on Depot property. Launches a master planning process to determine future civic use of site |