The railroad first came to the Lexington County town of Gilbert in the late 1860s with the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad. The Gilbert depot was built by Norfolk Southern in the early 1900s. Even though the tracks still run through the middle of town, the depot ceased operations in the 1970s. The town of Gilbert saved the building from destruction and moved it just a short distance from the tracks.
Ann Helms of Spartanburg, 2011 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
A caboose, pictured here, was also restored and added to the site. More recently, the track bed, repair truck, and crossing sign were added. In 2012, the depot opened as the Gilbert Museum. The public is welcome to come tour the depot the first Sunday of each month or by appointment.
Ann Helms of Spartanburg, 2011 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
The depot is also a museum…
Minor correction. Norfolk Southern came to be in 1982 through the merger of Southern and Norfolk & Western. So the Southern would have built the depot.