Lee Hall Train Depot Analysis

Critique of the Lee Hall Train Depot in Newport News Virginia There are many Americans who go about their daily lives passing by historical sites in their hometowns and never take the time to investigate those treasure troves of history. Some people drive by these sites every day at least twice on their way to and from work. Never taking the time to notice what they are passing in their rush to get on with their daily lives. That is why this critique will be on the Lee Hall Train Depot in Newport News Virginia. This particular historical site is seen by thousands of people on a daily basis; although, many know it is an old train station that is sadly the extent of people’s knowledge on the depot. Majority of those passing it will never stop or learn anything about the depot unless it’s taught to them in school or while in a simple conversation with someone else. The station is currently just a …show more content…
As stated on the Lee Hall Depot homepage, “The historic Lee Hall Depot was constructed in the 1880s as part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad’s efforts to establish its Atlantic terminus at Newport News, thereby linking the Ohio River Valley with the sea” (par. 1). The depot helped serve the other local counties including Yorktown, James City, and Lee hall which sprung up around the depot. During the times the station was active it provided a vital service to America and it did see its share of firsts in historical significance. One of those firsts was during 1881. That first according to the Lee Hall Depot homepage is, ”The first passenger train from Newport News took local residents and national officials to the Cornwallis Surrender Centennial Celebration on October 19, 1881, on a temporary track laid from Lee Hall to Yorktown” (par. 4) and subsequent photo was also taken from the home page. That event was forever memorialized by this mural of Lee Hall Depot by artist Sydney E.