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OkeeNarnie
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Posted: Sun Jul 20th, 2008 01:43 pm |
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I agree with saving the depot because it is played such a very important roll in the history of Okeechobee County. Reading the history of this area travel/shipping by train played a real great role.
Currently you do have to purchase tickets via the Internet or over the phone. But wouldn't it be great to be able to walk into our own depot and purchase your ticket and wait inside for the time the train arrival would be announced and you could just step out and board.
As far as parking goes we will have to wait and see just how much of that property is with the Depot. Over time land use might have been approved or ownership might have changed from its original plot. It doesn't look like there is much if your trying to park there.
Just to bring up another possiblilty...The Depot could be moved (moved and or reconstructed using some of the original materials and design.) If you follow the tracks driving west there is a large open spot. When the gas pipe was laid across our county the workmen camped there. That piece of property would avail both adequate space for a building and parking. It would also leave the 441 crossing open for traffic.
It is exciting, if you are a history buff, to imagine how it was and how it could be again.
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ChobeeLady
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Posted: Sun Jul 20th, 2008 06:26 am |
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Oh yeah, and by the way Ciphered ... it's an honor to be "one of the good old boys" as long as I'm an upstanding citizen that does not hold any political position. I just love my town and the memories it has instilled in me. Obviously, 4string, is not "Chobee Native" and if he/she is ... then obviously something has happened to make him/her just plain old grumpy. The county should have created the "wooden" jungle out of PVC pipe or something ... wood does rot if it's not sealed correctly and just imagine ... the depot is still standing after all these years. They sure don't make things like they use to, do they?
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ChobeeLady
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Posted: Sun Jul 20th, 2008 06:19 am |
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| Hallejulah !! I'm pleased if the Depot is saved. As far as the ambulance service passing over the tracks ... it has not one thing to do with the depot. That train is going to bring every vehicle to a stop when it comes through and I'd think those trained professionals inside that ambulance could keep someone alive, long enough for a train to pass. The depot being too close to the tracks is an issue?? Where do you want a depot to be? Two miles from the tracks. C'mon ... look over history, all depots are close to the tracks. I'd much rather spend my tax dollars helping to save our local history than being forced to pay taxes that send State Senators and Congress on vacations not to mention ... paying for those pork bellies that they sneak in on bills. As an example ... a museum to remember "Woodstock" .... that person must still be high!!
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OkeeNarnie
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Posted: Thu Jul 3rd, 2008 11:51 pm |
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flteacher wrote: Article on the front page of the Okeechobee News today regarding negotiations between the city and CSX for the transfer of ownership of the old train station. Appears the station will be saved with either the city or the Main Street organization responsible for its renovation.
flteacher
GREAT... Maybe they will take some of our thoughts on the future of the station here in Okeechobee.
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flteacher
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Posted: Thu Jul 3rd, 2008 09:58 pm |
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Article on the front page of the Okeechobee News today regarding negotiations between the city and CSX for the transfer of ownership of the old train station. Appears the station will be saved with either the city or the Main Street organization responsible for its renovation.
flteacher
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OkeeNarnie
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Posted: Thu Jun 12th, 2008 12:46 pm |
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I think its great!
There are lots of Airlines. (United, TWA, JetBlue etc) Maybe there will be more Rail Companies come on board. AmTrac dosen't have to be the only one.
Rail travel has not been the most popular because its not as fast. (And it was more expensive for some trips.) Maybe if there was competition the rates might be lower.
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Mitch2
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Posted: Thu Jun 12th, 2008 12:38 pm |
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- A nearly $15 billion Amtrak bill passed the House on Wednesday as lawmakers rallied around an alternative for travelers saddled with soaring gas prices.
A record 25.8 million passengers took Amtrak in the most recent fiscal year.
The bipartisan bill, which passed by a veto-proof margin of 311-104, would authorize funding for the national passenger railroad over the next five years. Some of the money would go to a program of matching grants to help states set up or expand rail service.
Besides the $14.9 billion provided for Amtrak and intercity rail, an amendment to the bill would authorize $1.5 billion for Washington's Metro transit system over the next 10 years.
The White House has threatened a veto, saying the bill doesn't hold Amtrak accountable for its spending. But similar legislation has passed the Senate, also with enough support to override a veto.
"Nothing could be more fitting to bring before the Congress today, on a day when gasoline has reached $4.05 a gallon across the United States on average," said Rep. John Mica, R-Florida, a longtime Amtrak critic who teamed up with Transportation Committee Chairman James Oberstar, D-Minnesota, on the legislation.
Amtrak's previous authorization expired in 2002. The railroad's supporters say that a new authorization will allow Amtrak to make long-range plans and take advantage of what they say is a growing appetite for passenger rail.
Unlike the Senate version, the House bill includes a requirement for the Department of Transportation to seek proposals from private companies to create a high-speed service that would take travelers from Washington to New York in two hours or less. The idea has long been championed by Mica, who says the United States must catch up with European and Asian countries on high-speed rail travel.
Critics say the proposal would undermine Amtrak by peeling off its most valuable asset: the Northeast Corridor.
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Rep. Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania said provisions that open the door to private investment should help ease the concerns of fellow Republicans who have balked at supporting Amtrak.
But those provisions could complicate things when the House tries to work out a compromise bill with the Senate.
Amtrak said it was pleased that both the House and the Senate had acted.
"This reflects strong support for intercity passenger rail service, and we look forward to working with Congress as they move forward to reconcile a final authorization bill," spokesman Cliff Black said.
The Bush administration and other Amtrak critics want to see the company move toward self-sufficiency, but Amtrak supporters say passenger railroads around the globe require government subsidies and point to the large sums of federal money spent on highways.
A bid by Rep. Geoff Davis, R-Kentucky, to send the bill back to committee to add an alternative fuel study was rejected.
"In the areas where American budgets are being hardest hit by gas prices, consuming 16 percent of gross incomes, they have very little access to Amtrak," Davis said. "How does this bill help those Americans deal with our energy crisis?"
Amtrak's boosters say the high cost of driving has made people eager for more and better rail service.
A record 25.8 million passengers took Amtrak in the last fiscal year. The railroad expects ridership to approach 28 million this year, Black said.
May was the biggest month in Amtrak's 37-year history, with total ridership up 12 percent over last year and ticket revenue up 16 percent over last year. Black said Amtrak's marketing research indicates that about half the increase can be attributed to gas prices
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4string
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Posted: Thu Jun 5th, 2008 03:34 pm |
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| As you are you want to put money into some thing that is useless. Why? The station went uncared for or noticed for decades, and now that CXS wants to get rid of it you start raising a fuss over it, and if it is saved and restored will soon there after be forgotten again. No comuter train service will be in Okeechobee, no shops will be put in it. I have heard from one of the local officials that is leading the fight to save it there is no plans for its use. Last edited on Thu Jun 5th, 2008 04:19 pm by 4string
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Ciphered
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 06:37 pm |
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The thread entitled "Okeechobee" should be under this thread since it is about preservation of the train station. Old "4string" is over there calling us all romantics who want to preserve our history.
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bigbear from the north
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 03:23 am |
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| Or look at it this way. Metropolitan WPB pretty much already extends to Port St Lucie and Fort Pierce, and they ain't got it either.
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CCG
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Posted: Tue Jun 3rd, 2008 05:19 pm |
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dixifriedgirl wrote: Somebunny I agree with you. I've been driving to Jupiter for 3 years to work, and have always said that someone should start a comuter train from Okeechobee to WPB. It would save me soo much gas money. I'd even take the bus to work from the train station. My mom would come see me more too!
When metropolitian West Palm stretches out here you might see it, eventually it will stretch out this far one day but not in our lifetime. Maybe in 2 more lifetimes.
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dixifriedgirl
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Posted: Tue Jun 3rd, 2008 04:37 pm |
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| Somebunny I agree with you. I've been driving to Jupiter for 3 years to work, and have always said that someone should start a comuter train from Okeechobee to WPB. It would save me soo much gas money. I'd even take the bus to work from the train station. My mom would come see me more too!
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4string
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Posted: Tue Jun 3rd, 2008 02:52 pm |
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| You are all dreamming.. nothing would be able to stay afloat there. It is too far off the road to get noticed or get any traffic. The amount of train passengers dosn't warrent an actual ticket depot. It is just a waste. A Money Pit let it go.
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somebunny
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Posted: Tue Jun 3rd, 2008 02:59 am |
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somebunny agrees I have to agree, so many in this county work in Pam Beach County or somewheere else on the coast , that a commuter train would probably be very welcomed. I think it would give some a chance at jobs that they cant get here. Any money to restore or rebuild it would be well worth it in my opinion.
Okeenarnie wrote
I wish they would restore (or re-build if thats the only option) a station. We really could use one. Not only could you purchase train fare, but bus tickets as well. With a station established maybe we can get the Greyhound and or Trailways bus to stop again.
With price of fuel so high if your going to travel it will be cheaper to take the train or bus then to use your own.
We could use a commuter train too.
It would be a great place for a travel agent to have a Kiosk. Add a coffee/sandwich shoppe. A gift shop offering Okeechobee and other Florida trinkets A museum of sorts with a display of local history or antique train's.
It might not be such a bad idea...AND it could offer a few jobs locally.
Ticket sales
Travel agents
Waitress
Cook and kitchen help
Cashier
Clerk
Historian
Janitorial help
Just my 2 cents
Narnie
Last edited on Tue Jun 3rd, 2008 03:03 am by somebunny
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Joe Shuey
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Posted: Sun Jun 1st, 2008 02:27 pm |
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The coffee shop owner, who would be renting space there. That's one possible scenario, anyway.
Joe
redhead wrote:
and who would pay these peoples wages?
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redhead
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Posted: Sat May 31st, 2008 09:41 pm |
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| and who would pay these peoples wages?
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OkeeNarnie
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Posted: Sat May 31st, 2008 03:51 pm |
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I wish they would restore (or re-build if thats the only option) a station. We really could use one. Not only could you purchase train fare, but bus tickets as well. With a station established maybe we can get the Greyhound and or Trailways bus to stop again.
With price of fuel so high if your going to travel it will be cheaper to take the train or bus then to use your own.
We could use a commuter train too.
It would be a great place for a travel agent to have a Kiosk. Add a coffee/sandwich shoppe. A gift shop offering Okeechobee and other Florida trinkets A museum of sorts with a display of local history or antique train's.
It might not be such a bad idea...AND it could offer a few jobs locally.
Ticket sales
Travel agents
Waitress
Cook and kitchen help
Cashier
Clerk
Historian
Janitorial help
Just my 2 cents
Narnie
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4string
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Posted: Sat May 31st, 2008 03:04 pm |
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I saw the news cast. It was more of the same we already know. It was just letting the people on the coast hear about it, and they were so enterested it was not rebradcast again.
Again I don't see why we would dump tax payers money into a building that can't be used, and would not be the property of the county but remain owned by CXS It is too close to the tracks for safty, so it won't be a museum, office space, or a train station even. It is a waste of usless space, and if restored, money.
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Ciphered
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Posted: Thu May 29th, 2008 01:26 am |
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I heard that Channel 25 News was at the depot today with some locals. Anyone catch the news at 6? Maybe there will be something on the news at 11 tonight (Wednesday 5/28).
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redhead
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Posted: Tue May 27th, 2008 12:55 am |
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| looks like they will be tearing it down. Just wondering if any one has thought of how much aspestos (sorry about spelling) or lead in the paint. there are special precautions that need to be taken so as not to contaminate the ground and the air. EPA needs to be aware of this.
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Razorback75
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Posted: Sat May 24th, 2008 03:42 pm |
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| When I look at old photos of Okeechobee, it amazes me how much this community once had and has already lost. Everyone has heard about the Southland Hotel and it was not the only old hotel in the area. The School Board was smart enough to save the old school buildings, using grant funding. The county is saving the old courthouse, which is an amazing piece of architecture and has survived many hurricanes. There is talk of wanting to save the old jail, but from what I understand we waited too long. It is no longer structurally sound. We can still save the train depot and we should. With the high price of gasoline, we need more trains and if it was easier to get tickets and schedules, I think more people would ride the trains. I would love to see our legislators work on a plan for a more extensive Florida train system. We need a commuter train from Okeechobee to the Tri-Rail system on the coast.
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Joe Shuey
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Posted: Sat May 24th, 2008 12:38 pm |
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I agree. Look at cities like Miami Beach, Key West and New Orleans: old architecture is the draw. People like old buildings. There's always room for another restaurant, too, for the take-out lunch crowd. "Trains and Take-Out." Cool.
Joe
Ciphered wrote:
I think the question is how much do we value our history? There is a genuine disagreement over this. I happen to think we should preserve some of these old structures and make them useful but available to us to appreciate. The buildings I have seen restored in other areas have helped revitalize the areas around them. It is a slow process, but beautifying something will often influence others nearby to do the same.
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Ciphered
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Posted: Fri May 23rd, 2008 12:10 pm |
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P.VanTassell wrote: And it couldn't be in a worse spot. They usually put them near the railroad tracks! Seriously, there have been trains stopping there daily for more than a half century and the location of the hospital was chosen long after the trains came along. We have to have a train track through the county, so, no matter where we put the hospital, the trains are going to be a potential delay for the emergency vehicles. The sidetracks and switches have been near the 441 crossing forever, so there will always be trains stopping and backing up at the intersection to move cars on and off the sidetracks. It's just a fact of life.
I think the question is how much do we value our history? There is a genuine disagreement over this. I happen to think we should preserve some of these old structures and make them useful but available to us to appreciate. The buildings I have seen restored in other areas have helped revitalize the areas around them. It is a slow process, but beautifying something will often influence others nearby to do the same. And if the grant money is available, we should use it. Otherwise, some other community will get it, because the grant funds have been set aside just waiting for someone to apply for them. We will pay the same taxes that result from the grant programs whether we get the funds or BF, North Dakota gets it.
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bigbear from the north
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Posted: Fri May 23rd, 2008 04:44 am |
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True, about the amount of use (or lack thereof) the place would receive from passenger traffic. Seems that when such places are restored elsewhere, they typically need to do double duty to fully utilize the structure - like some small office or shop on one side, the station on the other. The neighborhood around the station though is quite industrial, so I'd have a hard time picturing anybody wanting to put in a boutique or a Starbuck's there.
I'd think though that somebody could come to terms with CSX on the safety issues of leasing a building along its right of way. I've seen towns up in VA an NC where the CSX tracks run right down the middle of the street. There's a lot to be said on both sides of this issue.
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Casey
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Posted: Fri May 23rd, 2008 01:07 am |
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We have a train stop (check Amtrak Schedule) not an active station.
Hospital moved north of the railroad tracks in the late 1970's.
People north of the tracks are happy.
Apparently, what side of the tracks you are on does make a difference.
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P.VanTassell
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Posted: Thu May 22nd, 2008 09:16 pm |
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I was unaware that we even had a train station. And it couldn't be in a worse spot. God forbid an ambulance has to get to the hospital while they are stopping a train.
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4string
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Posted: Thu May 22nd, 2008 05:15 pm |
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| Thats how I see it let CXS fix it, but they are the ones wanting to get rid of it. They do not want to lease it out because they feel it would be too dangerous being so close to the tracks. I think thats as a station it just would not get much use. Very few people get on or off the train here each day for it to be worth while to put our tax money into.
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Razorback75
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Posted: Wed May 21st, 2008 11:12 pm |
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| I think the city is hoping to acquire the depot from CSX and then apply for a historical grant to rennovate it. CSX has no reason to care if it is open. They don't have passengers.
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Bilgerat
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Posted: Wed May 21st, 2008 06:41 pm |
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4string wrote: Like the tracks the train station is owned by CXS. So if they want it fixed let them fix it. They want to take it down.
So if they "fix" it, it would be zero cost to Okeechobee
Gee, that sounds like a "win" to me 
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4string
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Posted: Wed May 21st, 2008 05:12 pm |
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| Like the tracks the train station is owned by CXS. So if they want it fixed let them fix it. They want to take it down.
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Bilgerat
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Posted: Wed May 21st, 2008 04:24 pm |
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4string wrote: The Train Station could be replaced by a covered park bench with the amount of use it gets. That's because it sort of needs fixing, gee who would have thunk it.
The Old Jail what great memories would any one have of it worth the money it would take to restore, and keep it up? We'll never know unless it's explored, will we?
The Old Court House, I have done some work in it when the Supervisor of Elections move over there, the thing is a wreck. Things usually decline when we ignore them, don't they.
If you want to put money into something then have them fix the Wooden Jungle. It is getting old and starting to show it. Kids are getting splinters from playing on it. Atleast it is something that is used by the people of Okeechobee. Not just something to look at. Well from what you've posted one would have surmised that your answer would be to tear it down, it's "old".
redhead wrote:
Finally some one with common sense !! I totally agree with 4string. There are allot of other things that is truly NEEDED in this town.... Before doing something with the train station FIX THE TRACKS ! I'm sure everyone would agree that this is in dire need of repair.
Fix the tracks
Do you mean the ones going across the streets, or the entire rail system?
In any case, The rails are not owned by the City or the County,
Amtrak only "leases" time on them, one of the problems it has with it's schedule
Wouldn't it be the "owners" position to "fix the tracks"
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redhead
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Posted: Wed May 21st, 2008 01:50 pm |
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| Finally some one with common sense !! I totally agree with 4string. There are allot of other things that is truly NEEDED in this town.... Before doing something with the train station FIX THE TRACKS ! I'm sure everyone would agree that this is in dire need of repair.
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4string
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Posted: Wed May 21st, 2008 01:29 pm |
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The Train Station could be replaced by a covered park bench with the amount of use it gets.
The Old Jail what great memories would any one have of it worth the money it would take to restore, and keep it up?
The Old Court House, I have done some work in it when the Supervisor of Elections move over there, the thing is a wreck.
If you want to put money into something then have them fix the Wooden Jungle. It is getting old and starting to show it. Kids are getting splinters from playing on it. Atleast it is something that is used by the people of Okeechobee. Not just something to look at.
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Firefly1958
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Posted: Tue May 20th, 2008 06:51 pm |
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pumkinjac wrote: 4string wrote: Tear it down. It is never used and I don't want any of my tax money being put into something useless like that. The old jail should go with it. Along with the old court house. They are money pits, that we are pouring our money into.
Well that's just a rude thing to say!
How are people(after 12/21/2012) supposed to know what we were like and do research after we are gone? Whats happening 12/21/2012? Never mind I googled it ,So that will be the end of the world .....Huh!
Last edited on Tue May 20th, 2008 07:55 pm by Firefly1958
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Firefly1958
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Posted: Tue May 20th, 2008 06:50 pm |
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4string wrote: Tear it down. It is never used and I don't want any of my tax money being put into something useless like that. The old jail should go with it. Along with the old court house. They are money pits, that we are pouring our money into.
Somethings are worth saving .
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pumkinjac
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Posted: Tue May 20th, 2008 06:33 pm |
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4string wrote: Tear it down. It is never used and I don't want any of my tax money being put into something useless like that. The old jail should go with it. Along with the old court house. They are money pits, that we are pouring our money into.
Well that's just a rude thing to say!
How are people(after 12/21/2012) supposed to know what we were like and do research after we are gone?
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pumkinjac
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Posted: Tue May 20th, 2008 06:33 pm |
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Last edited on Tue May 20th, 2008 06:33 pm by pumkinjac
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okeeboy
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Posted: Tue May 20th, 2008 12:02 pm |
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My mother came down to visit me a couple of years ago
and arrived at the train station and left at the train station
so they do use it occasionally if anyone is stopping here.
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ChobeeLady
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Posted: Tue May 20th, 2008 05:51 am |
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| Thanks, I think I'll the 800 number and see what I can do. You did meann that they will pick you up in Okeechobee, right?
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Bilgerat
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Posted: Mon May 19th, 2008 07:16 pm |
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4string wrote: Tear it down. It is never used and I don't want any of my tax money being put into something useless like that. The old jail should go with it. Along with the old court house. They are money pits, that we are pouring our money into.
Exactly how much money is being "poured" into them?
Where's it coming from ?
Who's spending it ?
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4string
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Posted: Mon May 19th, 2008 06:50 pm |
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| Tear it down. It is never used and I don't want any of my tax money being put into something useless like that. The old jail should go with it. Along with the old court house. They are money pits, that we are pouring our money into.
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bigbear from the north
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Posted: Mon May 19th, 2008 02:33 pm |
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I'd say that Ciphered is correct. If you don't mind having to ride down to West Palm to catch it, the Tri-Rail would make it easier to take a train ride for the sake of taking a train ride. You might not see as much in the way of natural scenery though, as you would on the train out of Okeechobee.
Just to clarify a couple points though, if you would like to take the Amtrak train out of Okeechobee: Reservations are needed, as Bilgerat said, but if you make them on the internet, you'll want to do so at least 9 days prior to travel to allow time for tickets to be mailed to you. Booking after that point requires delivery by FedEx which costs you an extra 15 dollars.
On the other hand, you have the option of phoning Amtrak at 1-800-872-7245 to make a reservation. If you do this no more than 3 days before travel, the person there can set up your booking so that you can pay the conductor on board, since Okeechobee has no ticket office.
Far as I know, parking is allowed in the lot there, but I wouldn't think that it is recommended, it is not attended in any way, so you'd park there at your own risk.
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Ciphered
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Posted: Mon May 19th, 2008 12:29 pm |
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ChobeeLady wrote: Ciphered you are obviously like me, you've been here a long time if you can recall the Southland Hotel. It was heartbreaking when they tore it down. I remember as a child living in the area behind Dominoes, Zippy Wings and etc. I used to walk from that neighborhood uptown to the Gilbert's Theatre. I can still remember gazes through the windows and seeing the red carpet and the luxury of the time. I loved it. I also recall the house where the Bank of America sits now. What I'd give to have those old historical buildings still standing. One of my dreams is to ride a train before I die. Just a short trip maybe to the far South of Florida and back ... just for the experience. I can't even figure out how to get a ticket and be picked up by the old train depot. My father built the building just North of the depot. It was a Texaco gas station. It still stands but I'm not real sure what it really does anymore. Maybe a mechanic shop. However, I just wanted to assure Ciphered that he/she is not the only Okeechobee native that misses the old buildings. You need to be careful, ChobeeLady. They will call you a Good Ole Boy!
I have walked to the Gilbert Theater many times and walked on the covered sidewalk in front of the Southland. I went inside a few times, once or twice to go to the WOKC radio station on the top floor when it first started broadcasting. We ate many times at the Palmetto Restaurant on the ground floor on the corner of 70 and 441 and had to get our mail at the post office on the NW corner of the building.
If you ride a train, you will enjoy it. Like BilgeRat said, though, the timing of the trains going south does not allow day trips from here. They go north in the morning and south in the afternoon. But if you can get to WPB to the Tri-Rail Station on 45th Street or Tamarind Avenue near the Kravis Center, you can ride all the way to Miami and back in one day for less than $10 round trip. (It's cheaper than the gas would be if you drove.) A friend rode it last year a couple of times and said it was great. You buy tickets at the station at a machine and trains leave every few minutes in the rush times and hourly at other times. There are stops in every city on the way and several places in Miami. You transfer to the Miami MetroRail with your ticket at no extra charge and can ride all the way to South Miami. The trains run from about 6AM to 10 or 11 at night. Very clean and cool, I am told. Check out TriRail on the internet for the routes and times. The problem is gettng to WPB. I wish Okeechobee had a shuttle or a train that ran to WPB in the early morning and returned in the evening. That would give us an easy way to connect to these transportation systems.
Hope you get to ride a train soon. I heard some famous man say several years ago that he remembered when he was a young child his father took him and his brother to the train station in Texas to ride the train to one of the plains states so they could see the buffalo before they went extinct. He said he just took his children to the train station to see the trains.
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Bilgerat
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Posted: Sun May 18th, 2008 02:31 pm |
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ChobeeLady wrote: One of my dreams is to ride a train before I die. Just a short trip maybe to the far South of Florida and back ... just for the experience. I can't even figure out how to get a ticket and be picked up by the old train depot.
It's very easy
Go here http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak
For a trip to Miami (Mia) from Okeechobee (Oke) on June 1st it costs $19.00. The train departs at 3:00 PM (15:00) and arrives on or about 6:05 PM (18:05)
You will have to stay overnight as the return trip (again $19.00) won't be departing Mia until 11:50 AM the next day, arriving in Oke at or about 2:23 PM (14:23)
Once you have electronically "purchased" your ticket, just be at the Station. The train will stop for your boarding. (It will NOT stop unless they have a passenger either boarding or getting off)
I've ridden the train and have found it enjoyable. They have a dining car, but won't object if you bring a "picnic" type meal. Be advised there is no baggage help to speak of, so bring only what you can carry with ease.
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ChobeeLady
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Posted: Sun May 18th, 2008 05:17 am |
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| Ciphered you are obviously like me, you've been here a long time if you can recall the Southland Hotel. It was heartbreaking when they tore it down. I remember as a child living in the area behind Dominoes, Zippy Wings and etc. I used to walk from that neighborhood uptown to the Gilbert's Theatre. I can still remember gazes through the windows and seeing the red carpet and the luxury of the time. I loved it. I also recall the house where the Bank of America sits now. What I'd give to have those old historical buildings still standing. One of my dreams is to ride a train before I die. Just a short trip maybe to the far South of Florida and back ... just for the experience. I can't even figure out how to get a ticket and be picked up by the old train depot. My father built the building just North of the depot. It was a Texaco gas station. It still stands but I'm not real sure what it really does anymore. Maybe a mechanic shop. However, I just wanted to assure Ciphered that he/she is not the only Okeechobee native that misses the old buildings.
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Ciphered
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Posted: Sun May 18th, 2008 02:59 am |
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I would hate to see the railroad station torn down. I remember going into the ticket office many times and playing on the loading dock as a kid. We lost the beautiful Southland Hotel to the wrecking ball so they could put up a gas station in the early 70's (and later a Checkers hamburger joint, and now a CVS Pharmacy). All the old houses on the block where the Bank of America sits were either torn down or moved to the hinterlands. None remain in the downtown area. We can't let any more of our historical buildings go. That is one big gripe I have about our county - we don't seem to value the physical evidence of our history as much as we do talking about our history. I'd rather walk into a restored old building and see photographs or memorabilia, than hear someone talk about it. Ours is a county with the fewest preserved historical landmarks that I have seen in my travels around the south. That railroad station could be a gem for our city and county, but it will be nothing but a memory or a photograph if we don't do something. Wonder if it could be moved to a more suitable location in town, like the Raulerson House was moved several years ago?
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Bilgerat
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Posted: Sat May 17th, 2008 08:44 pm |
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Joe Shuey wrote: There's been news about the Okeechobee train station lately. Is there any place to park there? My impression is that there isn't. Also, what does the big company next to it think about the train station at it's present location?
Joe
Parking? Not so much
But that old Station has a lot of possibilities.
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Joe Shuey
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Posted: Sat May 17th, 2008 04:51 pm |
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There's been news about the Okeechobee train station lately. Is there any place to park there? My impression is that there isn't. Also, what does the big company next to it think about the train station at it's present location?
Joe
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