Historical marker commemorates Marion’s train depot

The Marion Chamber of Commerce recently erected a S.C. Historical Marker for Marion’s Train Depot.

In 2008, the Depot building celebrated the end of its first 100 years. To commemorate this milestone, the chamber board felt that setting up a marker would be a lasting tribute to the building. 

The Chamber had a great deal of help in accomplishing this task. Museum Director Tommy Lett helped with the original application to the S.C. Department of History and Archives. Salley Davidson and her staff at the Marion County Library helped with research into dates for the last passenger service through Marion. 

The Old Marion Depot was dedicated in honor of Frederick T. Zeman Sr. for his longtime service and dedication to the City of Marion and Marion County in 2005, upon the completion of the most recent renovation. The renovation was successful in large part to the efforts of the late Bobby Gerald, Mayor of Marion from 1985 to 2009.

The historic plaque reads:

Marion Depot. This one-story brick passenger depot, typical of the period, was built in 1908 for the Atlantic Coastline Railroad. The first railroad through Marion was the Wilmington & Manchester Railroad, completed here in 1854 and later incorporated into the Atlantic Coast Line when that railroad was completed in 1900. This depot replaced an earlier frame passenger station and closed in 1966. The City of Marion renovated the building in 2004-05.
Erected by the Marion Chamber of Commerce, 2009.