The History of Huntsville Depot
Built in 1860, the Huntsville Depot was originally the Eastern headquarters for the
Memphis and Charleston Railroad Company. In 1862, Union troops occupied the city of
Huntsville, keeping Confederate prisoners on the 3rd floor. Their graffiti is still visible,
written by the soldiers during their incarceration. After the war, the depot remained
operational until 1968.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971, the Huntsville Depot is
normally inhabited during the day by tourists and school groups. Some say lingering
spirits occupy the depot.
During the depot’s years of operation, numerous tragedies occurred on the grounds. A
Union soldier was killed when a cannon exploded inside the station. Five passengers lost
their lives when two trains collided in a fiery crash. A young girl (named Emily by depot
staff) was left behind from her family in the late 19th century, and then died shortly
afterwards.
More recently, a number of strange occurrences have been witnessed at the depot.
Maintenance workers noticed a statue changing position when no one else was present,
tour guides have spotted a ghostly train conductor walking down the platform, and
mysterious balls of flame have been sited. It was once claimed that a man walked to the
front entrance and disappeared through a locked door. On the third floor, there are
reports of seeing the movements of an empty rocking chair and hearing children’s
laughter.
Workers also claim that a heavy vault door mysteriously opens and closes by itself, they
hear eerie music after hours, and there have been reports of seeing strange green glows
of light coming from the third floor room where the Confederate prisoners were kept.
Built in 1860, the Huntsville Depot was originally the Eastern headquarters for the
Memphis and Charleston Railroad Company. In 1862, Union troops occupied the city of
Huntsville, keeping Confederate prisoners on the 3rd floor. Their graffiti is still visible,
written by the soldiers during their incarceration. After the war, the depot remained
operational until 1968.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971, the Huntsville Depot is
normally inhabited during the day by tourists and school groups. Some say lingering
spirits occupy the depot.
During the depot’s years of operation, numerous tragedies occurred on the grounds. A
Union soldier was killed when a cannon exploded inside the station. Five passengers lost
their lives when two trains collided in a fiery crash. A young girl (named Emily by depot
staff) was left behind from her family in the late 19th century, and then died shortly
afterwards.
More recently, a number of strange occurrences have been witnessed at the depot.
Maintenance workers noticed a statue changing position when no one else was present,
tour guides have spotted a ghostly train conductor walking down the platform, and
mysterious balls of flame have been sited. It was once claimed that a man walked to the
front entrance and disappeared through a locked door. On the third floor, there are
reports of seeing the movements of an empty rocking chair and hearing children’s
laughter.
Workers also claim that a heavy vault door mysteriously opens and closes by itself, they
hear eerie music after hours, and there have been reports of seeing strange green glows
of light coming from the third floor room where the Confederate prisoners were kept.
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