How Lansdale, PA Residents Came Together to Save Their “Other” Train Station
“Lansdale, Pennsylvania, a small town situated 28 miles north of Philadelphia, is home to two historic train stations. One is the beloved Lansdale passenger station, a brick building constructed in 1903 which remains one of the busiest commuter stations in Philadelphia’s transportation system. …
“But less than two blocks away lies its counterpart, a stone freight station that Bill Henning, vice president of the nonprofit Discover Lansdale, calls ‘the ignored stepchild’ of the pair. Also built in 1903, the freight station spent decades as Lansdale’s commercial heart before falling vacant for over 20 years. …
“It remained that way until 2016, when the station came to the attention of Bill Henning and Discover Lansdale. The nonprofit, which works to promote events and businesses in town, recognized the significance of the station to Lansdale’s history, and saw the need for a multipurpose space and visitor’s center. …
“Discover Lansdale has raised around $70,000 thus far. … But equally beneficial to the bottom line has been the support of the community. The project’s engineer and electrician have provided work for free or at discounted rates, a local tavern raised $5,000 for the rehabilitation by hosting a beer garden in the station’s parking lot for two summers, and residents have come out in droves for the clean-up days that Discover Lansdale has organized.”
FULL STORY Published on April 18, 2018 by CityLab