The Orchard Park Railroad Depot was built in 1911 by the Buffalo, Rochester, and
Pittsburgh Railway. The passenger station is an exact replica of a station in
Auburndale, MA. designed by noted architect H.H. Richardson. The
station has several features which make it unique. It has a drive through portico
on the street side and the entire length of the waiting platform is covered. Both
features help to keep the public out of inclement weather. Inside
the building are two waiting rooms, one for the ladies and one for the gentlemen.
Each waiting room has its own entrance and its own lavatory facilities. Another
feature is the original lighting fixtures which have the capacity for both gas
and electric lighting. Other
rooms in the station include the station agent's office and a baggage room that
has its original scale for weighting items for shipment. There is a freight station
located on the property which is one hundred feet from the passenger station.
The
stations are separated by a drive around, two corner gardens and a large centre
island garden. When the station opened to the public in 1912, the railway employed
two full time gardeners just to keep the property well groomed. Both
stations are made of tapestry brick and each has a pagoda style roof made of ceramic
tiles. Also
on the property, are five railroad cars, two first edition all steel B&O box cars,
a DL & W baggage car and ex NY Central 6/10 sleeper passenger car and a 1923 all
wood BR & P caboose. |