City all aboard for restoration: Civil War-era depot made famous by 'Great Locomotive Chase' is on track to becoming a philanthropy center in NW Georgia

Rendering of changes to the exterior to better match original appearance (Montgomery & Peeples, Dalton)

A long-closed Western & Atlantic railroad depot that played a part in the Civil War’s “Great Locomotive Chase” is being reborn in a way that reaffirms its importance as a community gathering place in Dalton, Ga.

A philanthropic organization and developer are nearly midway through the restoration of the oldest commercial structure in the northwest Georgia city best known for its carpet industry. The goal is to have a unique setting where ideas and dreams for the public good can gain steam.

The Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia and Barrett Properties have partnered for the project, with the foundation planning to relocate its offices to a portion of the depot later this year or in early 2025.

David Aft, foundation president, told the Picket the reopened 1852 depot also will buttress revitalization in downtown Dalton. Officials want locals to spend their dollars there rather than nearby Chattanooga, Tenn., and to enjoy the Burr Performing Arts Park, among other venues.

Glass-walled conference room, the old freight scale and floor work showing old timbers
 (Montgomery & Peeples rendering and David Aft photos)

“Working to renovate a building mothballed for 10 years is part of that, to bring life into old facilities.” The depot, he said, was the hub for commercial growth and the point of origination for surveys and maps in the 19^th century.

The resilient depot has had some hard times since its heyday. A 1977 nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places said Dalton citizens were aware of its value but “concerned about the deterioration of the building.” At that time, it was being leased to a railroad.

The depot housed a tavern for about 25 years, but officials closed the building in late 2015, citing conditions that “posed potential health hazards to the public,” including mold, according to the Daily Citizen-News newspaper.

The Western & Atlantic depot back when it was boarded up (Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation)

The brick building sat empty for nearly a decade. Now, workers are on site, making repairs and modernizing the space to create an open, welcoming environment.

“I’m excited to see downtown Dalton continue to blossom, and to see the Dalton Depot once again be a hub in downtown Dalton,” said Mayor Annalee Sams.

Andrews Raiders plowed through Dalton

The Western and Atlantic Railroad line from Atlanta to Chattanooga was completed in the early 1850s and the Dalton depot opened in 1852 to provide passenger and freight service.

The building had its moment of fame on April 12, 1862, when Northern raiders who had commandeered the locomotive General in Big Shanty, above Atlanta, were chugging toward Chattanooga, intent on destroying parts of the railroad.

Union raiders on the General set a fire at a river crossing in Georgia (Wikipedia)

The pursuing locomotive Texas picked up a 17-year-old telegraph operator who rushed to the Dalton depot and wired Confederate troops ahead in Chattanooga.

Although not all his message got through, Edward Henderson’s alarm sent troops toward the track. The Andrews Raiders were captured near Ringgold when the General ran out of steam. They had accomplished little.

According to the National Registration nomination form, “the depot might have been partially destroyed when Union troops entered Dalton and set fire to several buildings in 1862. It appears that the essential structure of the depot was not damaged and the restoration was confined to roof and interior repair. Since the ornamental brackets are stylistically later than the date of the rest of the building, it is likely that they replaced others lost in the destruction.”

The 12,100-square-foot brick building is “a pretty high-style example of Georgia depot architecture” and has Greek Revival features. It features stone lintels, brick pilasters and door entablatures.

The old ticket counter is among the surviving features (Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation) 

Safeguarding depot's historic features a priority

A February news release on the project said “Barrett Properties will be giving careful consideration to the preservation of historical elements that pay homage to an era’s character while innovative additions will infuse a modern and dynamic flair.”

The city years ago contracted with the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation to market the building. Officials wanted $500,000, but eventually sold it to Barrett Properties in 2018 for $300,000. At that time, Barrett said the area would be suitable for another restaurant/bar and perhaps a small museum.

The city required bidders to submit a written preservation plan and abide by a signed rehabilitation agreement.

Work crews have been on the site since spring (David Aft photo)

The trust's primary goal was seeing that historic features in the building are saved. The depot’s southern end retains features interior ticket windows, a freight scale and other rail service features.

The foundation has a 20-year lease with Barrett Properties, said Aft, who answered Picket questions on behalf of his group and the developer.

What the foundation does with charitable gifts

The five employees of the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia, working with charitable givers, provide grants and funding for organizations in the area. Some of the endeavors involve mental health programs, historic preservation, neighborhood revitalization and other civic projects.

Undated photo and another from 1922 (Courtesy of the Bandy Heritage Center for Northwest Georgia)

Some grants come in the form of endowments, financial funds and scholarships to nonprofit groups or individuals. The organization oversees more than $90 million in charitable assets, said Aft.

The main economic engine for Dalton and Whitfield County is the carpet industry, while diversification has yielded a solar panel factory and supply chains for auto manufacturing.

“We are one of the country’s last bastions of manufacturing,” said Aft.

The area’s Latino population has grown considerably. Housing affordability is a big issue, compounded by the dearth of available land because of mountainous terrain, said Aft, indicating nearby counties have made strides. The Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce is working toward increasing residential units, including hundreds of apartments, he added.

Depot and other downtown buildings in 1932 (Courtesy of the Bandy Heritage Center for Northwest Georgia)

The foundation currently works from the top floor of a building about a mile from the depot.

“We have kind of outgrown our space,” said Aft, indicating the foundation needs a larger facility in which to meet with donors and working groups and to conduct strategy sessions. “When you have 20 people in for a workshop, we don’t have great bathrooms.”

New office will mix the old and the new

Aft touts the new space as ideal for meetings -- by mixing the depot’s historic architectural features and modern office design.

“The most significant feature is a room built within that space. It will have an ability to open its glass side walls into a bigger convening space,” he said. The office includes other meeting areas and work nooks. (Rendering at left by Montgomery & Peeples)

The foundation is moving into what once was a nightclub area of the depot. “There was a lot of live music. People used it for event space.” The other half was a restaurant.

Photos from the current work show wear and tear, including some graffiti on the walls.

“The entirety of the super structure and brick work is original. Much of the underpinning foundation is original,” said Aft, adding the current budget for the work is below $1 million.

(Barrett Properties is still marketing the other half of the building, perhaps for offices, event space or a restaurant.)

While the interior is receiving an overhaul and plumbing and heating and air are being modernized, work has not yet began on the exterior, which will have a few modifications to provide its original look.

Barrett Properties sent out samples of the brick mortar to use the right type while fixing damage created by wear and passing trains. Much of the brick has been repointed.

Three cornices need to be rebuilt. “It will look more like from the photographs of 50 years ago then now,” said Aft. (See collection of depot photos here)

The finished product will pay homage to the “Great Locomotive Chase” in some form, perhaps through markers.

“We understand the valuable piece of real estate we are part of,” said Aft.

(At right, David Aft photo of foundation, including old timber)