LOCK HAVEN- A half-million-dollar restoration project on the Castanea Railroad Station got a boost this week with a $24,900 check from the Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania. The Clinton County Historical Society plans to restore this historical station to its former glory in a five-year, multi-phase project. When completed, the renovated station will house a travel complex museum and serve as a welcome center and trail-head destination for the planned Rails-to-Tails connector trail from Pine Creek. Maps and local business and tourist information will be available at the travel complex. The society hopes the Clinton County Model Railroad Club, which has called the station home and held open houses and train meets there for years, will continue to do so after the restoration. "This project creates a link to the rest of the community with enthusiasts coming into the area on the trail and using our local services for food, shelter, souvenir purchases, bicycle repair and maintenance and other needs," Clinton County Historical Society Executive Director Anne McCloskey said. The Lumber Heritage Grant for $24,900 is earmarked for phase one of the construction of a replica water tank kiosk in front of the station. The tank, built from original 1930s railroad blueprints, will serve as an interpretive center open to the public, free of charge, 24 hours a day. This grant requires the Historical Society to match it through local funds. Therefore, the Historical Society has launched a "Dollar-A-Citizen" campaign and has place money jars throughout the community. Funds raised during the campaign will be used towards the match. The society is asking every citizen of Clinton County to donate $1 toward the project, McCloskey said. Donations are a critical part of this project, McCloskey said. In addition to the water kiosk replica, plans call for replacing the roof in 2008. In addition to the Lumber Heritage Grant, the society has received grants toward the restoration project from the Degenstein Foundation, Jersey Shore State Bank and Clinton County Foundation. Those wishing to make a donation can mail checks made out to "Castanea Railroad Station Restoration Fund," to the Clinton County Historical Society or directly to Jersey Shore State Bank. The railroad depot at 15 Logan Ave., Castanea, was built in 1884 by the Beech Creek, Clearfield and Southwestern Railroad Company as an example of Victorian architecture. The Vanderbilts of New York were primary financiers of the railroad, the purpose of which was to transport coal from the coal regions of the state to industrial center. The railroad also carried clay, lumber and firebricks eastward. Farm products, processed food and merchandise were carried to the west. In 1899, the railroad became part of New York Center, which later became part of the Penn Central system. Much of Clinton County's history is tied to railroads. The Beech Creek line was built in the early 1800s and first carried passengers in 1884. By 1895 this railroad line was carrying over six thousand cars through the area every week. The train station provided an entry point for both passengers and goods. The passengers often came and settled in the area, with four passenger trains coming through Castanea daily. Horse-drawn carriages took passengers into Lock Haven from the station. The materials brought in by rail supplied the brewery, the Haberstroh limestone quarry, the Clinton Paper Company and the Castanea Brick and Tile Company as well as other industries in the county. For more information call 748-7254 or go to clintoncountyhistory.com.
