Napanoch station

The New York, Ontario, and Western Railroad Passenger Station is located on Institution Road, between Eastern Correctional Facility and Rondout Creek, near Napanoch, New York, United States.

Napanoch
Station building in 2007
Location	Dump Road, Napanoch, Ulster County, New York 12458
New York, Ontario, and Western Railroad Passenger Station
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	Napanoch, New York
Nearest city	Middletown
Coordinates	41°44′24″N 74°21′55″W
Built	1903
Architect	Jackson, Rosencrans & Canfield
Architectural style	Classical Revival
NRHP reference No.	99000086[1]
Added to NRHP	1999

History

It was built by the New York, Ontario and Western Railway (O&W) in 1903 for the dual purpose of bringing tourists to Napanoch and inmates to the newly established prison. A branch from Ellenville to Kerhonkson was opened in 1902, following the recently abandoned Delaware and Hudson Canal, a portion of which survives just west of the station building. A temporary station at the present site served passengers while the New York City firm of Jackson, Rosencrans & Canfield designed and built a permanent station in a Classical Revival style.[2]

O&W passenger service ended in the 1953, and the original domed roof had deteriorated to the point that it was replaced with the current tiled version. Trackage was dismantled in 1957 when the O&W was liquidated.[2]

Preservation

The station became the property of the state Department of Correctional Services, which owned the surrounding land as part of the prison property.

It was later renovated and reopened as a museum devoted to its past and the O&W. A small section of track was restored, with several railroad artifacts on display.

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
2. Bonafide, John (October 1998). "National Register of Historic Places nomination, Ontario and Western Railroad Passenger Station". Retrieved 2008-01-06.