The Tamaqua station is a historic railway station in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, that currently serves as a visitor center, restaurant, and boarding location for Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad excursion trains. It is part of the Tamaqua Historic District.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 26, 1985, as the Reading Railroad Passenger Station-Tamaqua.
History and architectural features 19th century This station was originally built by the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad in 1874, which had earlier acquired the Little Schuylkill Navigation, Railroad and Coal Company.Tamaqua Railroad Station - Historical Chronology It is a one-story brick building that was designed in the Italianate style.
In 1880, an addition was made to the original 1874, giving it a T-plan. In 1885, a freight house was added. ()
20th century The station ceased train operations in 1961 and was formally abandoned in 1981.
In 1984, a local family offered to purchase the railroad station and proposed that the building would be turned into a museum, similar to Steamtown, U.S.A. in Scranton.
On December 26, 1985, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Reading Railroad Passenger Station—Tamaqua.
21st century Following a $1.5 million restoration, the building was reopened in 2004 as a heritage center.
In 2023, the station was featured on a USPS Forever stamp in a 5-stamp "Railroad Stations" series. The stamp illustrations were made by Down the Street Designs, and Derry Noyes served as the art director.
References
External links Tamaqua Railroad Station Visit Pennsylvania – Tamaqua Railroad Station