PRINCE, W.Va. (WVNS) — A longtime piece of New River Gorge history may soon receive national recognition. The Prince Depot — the first passenger depot to open in the New River Gorge — is being pushed for consideration as a National Historic Landmark, thanks to the efforts of a local advocate.
For more than 80 years, residents of both Fayette and Raleigh counties have relied on the station, which remains an active part of West Virginia’s rail heritage. David Gay, a member of the Prince Railroad Station Authority, says the depot’s age, architectural features, and unique design make it a strong candidate for landmark status.
“Being 80 years old, this building is definitely eligible to be in the National Registry of Historic Places,” Gay said. “I think it is eligible to be a National Historic Landmark.”
Gay points to the depot’s passive solar heating design as one of several architectural elements that set it apart. He warns that attempts to modernize the structure could devalue its historic integrity, and hopes to see the station eventually placed under new ownership committed to preservation.
The push comes as interest grows in protecting historic structures throughout the New River Gorge region, especially those tied to the area’s railroad and coal heritage.
