Dayton group hopes to restore depot

The Dayton Valley Historical Society wants to restore the last Carson & Colorado Railroad depot in Nevada 75 years after it closed

The society hopes to start work on the downtown Dayton depot in 2010. It will look to get most of the

$1.5 million for the project through federal funds.

The historical society will host a tour of the depot and original railroad right-of-way April 25.

The Dayton depot open from 1881 to 1934 was an important stop for the 300-mile railroad, said Linda Clements of the historical society.

Clements said the depot needs to be restored because it represents the new life the railroad brought to the town after the Comstock boom died down.

"It's a major piece of Dayton history," she said. "It's a major piece of Nevada history."

Lyon County owns the depot and the historical society operates it. The federal government gave the county $550,000 to buy it in 2007.

Restoration will be needed on the exterior and interior of the building. The society will have to remove extra rooms, which were added when the depot became a private home, restore original pine to walls, close holes in walls and add decorative period lighting and heat.

WHAT: Tour of the Carson & Colorado Railroad depot

WHERE: Corner of Main Street and Highway 50 East in Dayton

WHEN: 9 a.m. April 25

INFO: Call 246-9419 or 246-0505

The original depot was a red 20-foot-by-50-foot building that had a ticket-selling room, telegraph office and freight room.

The society isn't exactly sure what was inside because they don't have any pictures from the time, Clements said.

She said the society later hopes to move the station master's house and foreman's house that are in downtown Dayton closer to the depot.

The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce is interested in moving into the depot once it's restored, but the chamber and historical society doesn't have an agreement yet, said Kevin Hogan, chamber president.

He said the chamber is getting ready to help businesses in Dayton bounce back once the economic slowdown ends. The depot could be part of that, he said.

"Whatever critical mass we can create downtown is positive," he said.