The North Branch Land Trust
- Train Depot Restoration
The North Branch Land Trust has
undertaken a massive restoration effort - rescuing the Noxen railroad depot
from ruin to create a structure that is both useful and historic. As you can see in the photos below, the
depot restoration effort has already made quite a
difference:

The depot before restoration began |

The depot in January, 2004 |
The Lehigh Valley Railroad
Depot in Noxen was built in 1893, during the heyday of the lumbering and
tanning industries. The structure is one of only three of its type
still standing. Until very recently, the building stood in a state of
disrepair, but the North Branch Land Trust is working to restore the
historic structure for use as a conservation and education center.
On December 22nd, 2003, the Citizens' Voice Newspaper in Wilkes-Barre
printed an article outlining the progress of the depot restoration.
In addition, the story detailed a recent initiative to pool the resources
of the NBLT and the Noxen Historical Association to fully restore the
depot and the old Noxen School, which currently serves as the
Noxen Library. You can read the entire
article by clicking here or on the
link at right.
As promised in the December article, the
entities working to restore the depot held an open house in January, 2004,
to allow local residents and history buffs a chance to see for themselves
the progress that has been made on the structure.
Tours began at the Noxen School/Community
Center, where videos, old photos, and other memorabilia (such as an old
railroad crossing sign) were on display. Those waiting for a
horse-drawn wagon ride to the depot could purchase food and refreshments,
baked goods, or souvenir items like T-shirts and ornaments.
You can read more about the open house by
clicking here, or on the article at
left. Volunteers are working hard to continue raising
funds to complete the project. Click
here to go directly to NBLT's Noxen Train Depot Restoration
page. If you'd like to help their efforts you can write, call,
or email:
North Branch Land Trust
11 Carverton Road
Trucksville, PA 18707
You can also call 570-696-5545,
log on to www.nblt.org,
or email
noxendepot@nblt.org.
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