C. A & C. / Pennsylvania Depot

The C A & C. railroad depot stands for Columbus, Akron, and Cleveland. This railroad depot was constructed in 1907. The original purpose of the depot was to service passenger and freight trains; the building was also home to the Mount Vernon telegraph office. C A & C. Railroad Company initially owned the historic train depot, however, the depot was later purchased by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. The line saw many historic moments in Mount Vernon history, during the whistle-stop campaigning tour of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, his train came through the station on its way to Columbus. In 1936 Republican Presidential Candidate Alf Landon gave a speech to 3,000 Mount Vernon citizens from the depot.

               In 1949 tragedy struck on the line connected to the depot. In May of 1949, the Pennsylvania Railroad Company changed its trains from steam power to diesel power. Soon after this switch, a 17 train-car derailment happened west of South Main Street in Mount Vernon. This derailment caused over 50 yards of train track to be destroyed. The accident stopped all traffic on the line until the wreck could be cleared. 

               The exterior of the building is constructed using a rough cut stand-stone base. Above the base was a smooth-faced with a warm gray color. The roof was constructed with a wood base, topped with red glazed tile. The building has been used for many various purposes since its construction. While it was originally used as a train depot, it is now the welcome center for the Ariel Foundation Park, as well as hosting the displays of the Kokosing Valley Central Railroad club.

Jordan, Mark. Mount Vernon 1949 railroad wreck signalled the hazards of busy train traffic, https://www.knoxpages.com/. March 16th 2019. Accessed November 21st 2019. https://www.knoxpages.com/history/mount-vernon-railroad-wreck-signalled-the-hazards-of-busy-train/article_720498e6-4728-11e9-859e-9bdaabd4451c.html.

Model Train Display – Open House, https://www.wqioradio.com/. November 17th 2019. Accessed November 21st 2019. https://www.wqioradio.com/event/model-train-display-open-house/?instance_id=191254.

Mount Vernon, http://touringohio.com/. Accessed November 21st 2019. http://touringohio.com/northeast/knox/mount-vernon.html.

Johnson, Harold. C. A. and C. Depot . National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form . Published November 3rd 1979. National Register of Historic Places .