This is a summary of the project to preserve the Rock Island Depot in Perry, Arkansas, including links to updates that I’ve written over the years as what seemed like a longshot idea has progressed. In 2017, I learned from the Perry County Historical & Genealogical Society that a shortline railroad that operates this stretch of former Rock Island track was planning to demolish the century-old depot to make way for an expanded locomotive servicing facility.
The Little Rock & Western Railway offered to let us take the depot off its property and gave us time to come up with the logistics of how to accomplish that. Thanks to monetary donations and in-kind donations of supplies and labor, we were able to move the depot to an adjacent city-owned lot still alongside the tracks. The property had been part of the Rock Island’s Perry operations and was where a water tower for steam locomotives once stood. The roof has been replaced to protect the interior of the building until we can begin the restoration work inside. And in January 2021, thanks to support from the state, the Rock Island Depot at Perry was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Based on insurance maps and railroad papers, it’s believed this depot was built in 1918. There has been a great outpouring of support, including thousands of dollars in individual donations, so I wanted to create a page to detail the history of the depot and show how that money is being spent. If you’d like to support our project, you’ll find a donation box below.
The Rock Island’s Perry, Arkansas depot in October 2018 as it was being moved from where it sat during its 100 year existence. The railroad that owns the property today had given an ultimatum that if it wasn’t moved it would be demolished to make way for an expanded locomotive servicing shop. Unless otherwise noted, all photos are by me, Michael Hibblen.
For much of its existence, the depot was part of a major national rail network with passenger trains running between Memphis, Tennessee and Amarillo, Texas, with connecting service via the Southern Pacific to Los Angeles. The last regular passenger train rolled by here on Nov. 10, 1967. The Rock Island continued to use the depot for freight operations until the railroad was shut down in March 1980.
The shortline Little Rock & Western Railway was then created to continue servicing industries in the area, primarily a nearby paper mill. The railroad was acquired by the Genesse & Wyoming in 2005, which is who we negotiated with by move the depot.
This is the Rock Island’s last intact wooden depot along its main east-west artery through Arkansas. It’s also the last depot remaining west of Little Rock in the state and is just an incredible relic of a different era. With segregated waiting rooms, a freight room full of historical graffiti left by former employees, there is incredible potential for what this depot can become as a museum and community meeting space. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to help make that happen, you’ll find a Go Fund Me box, as well as an address for sending checks, at the bottom of this page.
Below are links to extensive updates written in recent years as this project has progressed. Included are photos from each step of the way, along with many vintage photos that have been shared with us.
Effort To Save Former Rock Island Depot In Perry, Arkansas From Demolition
Challenges Persist in Moving the Former Rock Island Depot at Perry, Arkansas
Agreement Reached to Move and Preserve Former Rock Island Depot at Perry, Arkansas
The Rock Island’s Perry, Arkansas Depot is Moved in Advance of Restoration
State Grant Will Ensure Relocation is Completed for Former Rock Island Depot in Perry, Arkansas
Preparing to Place Rock Island Depot at Perry, Arkansas in New Location
Rock Island Depot in Perry, Arkansas is at New Location, Roof will be the Next Priority
New Roof Completed on Rock Island’s Perry Depot, Historic Designation is Next Goal
Rock Island Depot at Perry, Arkansas is Nominated for Historic Designation
We have ended accepting new donations through a Go Fund Me campaign launched in 2018 that was initially intended only to cover the cost of moving the depot. A total of $10,390 was raised through 117 donations. Thanks to everyone who gave! There will eventually be new fundraising campaigns after a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is formed to oversee subsequent work and eventually operate the city-owned depot when it becomes a community event space and museum telling the history of the area and the railroad.
Anyone who would like to donate now can send a check to the city, which has separate accounting for the depot. Be sure to clearly mark that the donation is for the depot project.
City of Perry
P.O. Box 36
Perry, AR 72125
I welcome any additional information, photos, stories, comments or corrections. Write to: michael@hibblenradio.com.
