Railroad Depots of Central Ohio

By the mid-1850s, the railroad craze hit central Ohio hard.  Pioneer railroads that were to evolve into portions of the Baltimore and Ohio, NEW YORK CENTRAL, and Pennsylvania Railroads connected the state capital, Columbus, with the canals, Lake Erie, and the Ohio River.  The region was crisscrossed by numerous other lines by 1880; Columbus became the main hub while other “railroad centers” included Circleville, Delaware, Mansfield, Mount Vernon, Newark, and Zanesville.  Hundreds of depots were built throughout central Ohio to serve passengers, baggage, mail, and freight.  Depots became the center of commerce and activity at communities — big and small. With the discontinuance of passenger trains across the Buckeye State, many depots disappeared — many were demolished, others relocated for non-railroad uses.  This book offers a pictorial history of selected depots, centering around Columbus and Franklin County, using old postcards and vintage photographs. 

Author Bio: Mark J. Camp teaches geology at the University of Toledo and serves as a national director of the Railroad Station Historical Society. His other titles include Railroad Depots of Northwest Ohio, Railroad Depots of West Central Ohio, Railroad Depots of Northeast Ohio, and Ohio Oil and Gas.

 Be aware that the accuracy of some of Arcadia’s home-spun histories is sometimes questionable. Hence, your NYCSHS directors would be interested in reviews by knowledgeable members. Published by Arcadia Publishing, this softcover retails for $22, with NYCSHS members paying only $17.60. Shipping is extra and Ohio residents must add 8% Ohio sales tax.