Cowpens Depot

National Register Listing

Street Address:

120 Palmetto St., Cowpens, SC (Spartanburg County)

Alternate Name:

Cowpens Museum and Civic Center

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NRHP Nomination

Record Number:

S10817742041

Description and Narrative:

The Cowpens Depot, built in 1896 by the Southern Railway, is significant both as an excellent example of a late nineteenth century Southern passenger and freight depot and for its association with the significance of the Southern Railway in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century growth and development of the town of Cowpens. The Atlanta and Charlotte Air Line Railway built the first depot here along its line in 1873, and by 1880 the town was incorporated. In May 1896, the Southern Railway contracted with Joseph D. Elliott to build a new depot alongside its tracks at the corner of Brown and Church streets. Passenger rail service to Cowpens ceased in the 1950s and freight service ceased in 1967 when the depot closed its doors to all rail service. Southern Railway decided to demolish the depot in 1980, but the Cowpens Bicentennial Committee negotiated to preserve the building. The railroad agreed to donate the depot to the town on the condition that it be moved from railway property. In 1982 the Town of Cowpens moved the depot one block from its original site to its present location. Listed in the National Register September 4, 1997.

Period of Significance:

1896

Level of Significance:

Local

Area of Significance:

Transportation

National Register Determination:

listed

Date of Certification:

September 4 1997

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