Seaboard Air Line Railway Depot

Constructed in 1937 for the Seaboard Air Line Railway, this historic train station continues to serve rail passengers as an Amtrak station. The railroad played an important role in Camden's economic development in the 20th century and this well-preserved structure offers a good example of a mid-century railroad depot. Designed in the Colonial Revival style, the station features medallions cast in relief with four compass points on the northwest and southwest facades, and windows with a white keystone. The depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

The Seaboard Air Line (SAL) built its first depot in Camden in 1900. The arrival of the railroad sparked a period of economic growth in Camden, which became one of the stops of the railroad's new line that stretched from Richmond, Virginia, to Tampa Bay, Florida. As a result, Camden was now connected to major cities. The first railroad to arrive in Camden was the South Carolina Railroad in 1848. However, this railroad and the others that came later did not link Camden to large urban centers. Until the SAL arrived, freight and passengers had to travel to other towns, which where connected to major railroads, to reach big cities.

Soon after the SAL built the line to Camden, other developments followed. This included the construction of a hotel and many new homes. The town was already a popular tourist resort (there were four hotels operating in the 1890s) but even more tourists came to Camden after 1900. Industries were established in Camden as well, including two textile mills and the Camden Water, Light and Ice Company.

The present depot was built in response to the increasing amount of passenger traffic in the late 1930s. It opened to great fanfare on November 25, 1937 when the first train arrived. A crowd gathered and local leaders gave speeches.

Like many train stations in the 1950s and 1960s, the volume of passenger and freight traffic at the depot began to decline as car and truck usage increased. It appears though that the depot continued to operate. In 2015, Amtrak restored and modernized it and made other improvements.

"Camden, SC (CAM)." The Great American Stations. Accessed June 11, 2021. http://www.greatamericanstations.com/stations/camden-sc-cam.

Vivian, Daniel J. "Seaboard Air Line Railway Depot." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. June 2, 2000. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/a6d5a8ec-32a0-4481-891e-76801b3f7132.