Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The Gulf Wind Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society is hosting their annual open house event called Depot Day at the Historical Lloyd Train Depot on Saturday, July 2, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The Gulf Wind Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society owns the historical building, and is involved with ongoing restoration of the facility and its maintenance. The organization is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of our country's railroad history and heritage.
The Lloyd Depot is truly a valuable historical resource. It was built in 1858, and is the oldest surviving masonry train station in all of Florida, and is one of only two surviving antebellum railroad depots in the state. The Historic Lloyd Depot is included on the national Register of Historic Places, and has a rich past, dating back to a time when the community was a major shipping link for agricultural products from throughout the region. When the building was closed down and threatened with demolition in 1966, the Jefferson County Historical Association stepped in to preserve the station. It was transferred to the Gulf Wind Chapter just a few years after that, and they began basic repairs in 1979, rehabilitating the passenger waiting rooms and stationmaster's office for use as the community post office.
During Depot Day, the Gulf Wind Chapter will have exhibits and railroad artifacts on display, complete with an operating model train layout! At lunchtime, they will fire up the grill and serve a free hot-dog lunch to their guests. This event is free to the public, and they hope to see you there!
For more information about the Gulf Wind Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, or to learn more about their current projects and activities, call (850) 566-7486.
Directions to the Depot: Take Interstate 10 to State Road 59, then proceed south on 59. Continue into Lloyd and at the flashing caution light, turn left on to Old Lloyd Road. The depot will be immediately on your right. The street address is 8781 Old Lloyd Rd.