It looks like a piece of Coweta County history will be saved after all. What first appeared to be no solution to the preservation of the circa 1850 Madras train depot appears to be on the fast-track to a relocation of the old building at a location further up U.S. Highway 29 in northeast Coweta.
The issue and the potential fate of the old depot that sat along the Atlanta & West Point Railroad (now CSX) during the mid-19th century surfaced recently when the owner of the building, Oliver Gentry, informed the Coweta County Commission that CSX Railroad indicated that the building had to be removed by July 1 from the right-of-way. Gentry had requested that the county at least take possession of the old depot, move it to a new location and possibly restore it. The estimated price tag was $25,000.
The issue came before commissioners July 7 with Commissioner Bob Blackburn making a motion that the county accept Gentry’s donation offer. That motion died for lack of a second. Blackburn made another motion that the board investigate the matter further and bring the findings to the next meeting. That motion, too, died for lack of a second.
During the discussion, Commissioner Tim Lassetter suggested that perhaps someone from the community would step forward with a possible solution to the issue.
That person was Dr. Phillip Sword, according to Blackburn.
“The Gentry family has agreed to donate the building to Phillip and he has committed to pay to have the building moved up Hwy. 29 in the Arbor Springs area,” Blackburn said Wednesday. “We can get this done if CSX gives us enough time. So we’re not out of the woods but we can see daylight.”
The Madras Depot is located along Hwy. 29 on the CSX line just south of Lee Road. Though in need of repair, the old building is ripe with Coweta history.
“The Atlanta & West Point Railroad reached the frontier community of Powell in July of 1851 and sometime thereafter, built the tool and maintenance shed that became Powell Station and the community’s center of commerce. The building served as the telegraph office until 1900. George Powell was the first post master (in 1871) and mail was delivered to Powell Station until 1983,” according to Coweta Planning Director Robert Tolleson.
Sword subsequent to the commission meeting approached Blackburn and the Gentry family about acquiring the building, Blackburn said, adding that Sword will work with the county on any requirements that might apply to the project.
Blackburn was quick to acknowledge Sword’s willingness to save the historic structure.
“This is a perfect example of the private sector working with government at no cost to the taxpayer, working in a way that will achieve the goal of having our local history continue into the future,” Blackburn said. “We’re saving something you can’t put a price on. And Phillip Sword is a hero, our knight in shining armor.”
