Connecticut River Railroad Station

Connecticut River Railroad Station
Former station in 2008

Connecticut River Railroad Station is a former railway station located between Lyman, Bowers, and Mosher Streets in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The station was part of the Connecticut River Railroad line and was built in 1883.[1]

Designed by the American architect Henry Hobson Richardson, this was one of the last in his series of Northeastern railroad stations. In 1965, the station was converted into a mechanical shop by Perry's Auto Parts, but was left vacant in recent years. [2] Though much of the external structure remains intact, the building is littered with graffiti and falling into disrepair. In 2004, this structure (along with Richardson's house in Brooklyn, MA) was cited as one of the ten most endangered historic sites in Massachusetts.[3]

The building was purchased from a private owner by the City of Holyoke's Gas & Electric department in May of 2009, but plans to repair the building did not at the time include allowing its use as a rail depot. [4] In early 2010, Dana Roscoe of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission announced that the station may soon return to passenger rail service in part due to a major federal grant to rebuild the adjoining tracks.[5]

References

  1. ^ Ochsner, Jeffrey Karl, H.H. Richardson: Complete Architectural Works, MIT Press, Cambridge MA 1984
  2. ^ Roessler, Mark, Valley Advocate - June 18, 2009: Holyoke's Famous Rail Station
  3. ^ 2004 Ten Most Endangered Historic Resources of Massachusetts at Preservation MASS
  4. ^ Roessler, Mark, Valley Advocate - June 18, 2009: Holyoke's Famous Rail Station
  5. ^ Roessler, Mark, Valley Advocate - Feb. 4, 2010: Valley Rail: Cash for Clickety-Clackers

Coordinates: 42°12′23″N 72°36′03″W / 42.206432°N 72.600811°W / 42.206432; -72.600811