Katy Depot Celebrates 35th Anniversary - Post Clock Celebrates 10th . . . Happy 35th anniversary to “The Depot”! The beautifully restored former train station at the corner of Main and Jefferson Streets has served as the home of the Greater Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Office since 1980. “The Depot” as it is affectionately known is the hub of local economic development, business and community relations, philanthropy and general information. It is one of the most unique and truly historic of our famous Square buildings and it has a great story. It starts with a tragedy. On December 9th, 1972, just after 6 p.m. the Square district was rocked by a hellish explosion. The Poague Building, located at the corner of Main and Jefferson, housed seven businesses at the time. The two story classic brick structure was completely and instantly destroyed by the blast. It was later determined a broken gas line had filled the building’s basement with deadly, flammable gas. Eight people died that evening and as many more were hospitalized with serious injuries. It devastated the community and even after the rubble was removed it left a painful scar as a reminder of what, and who, was lost that cold Saturday evening. Move forward to 1979. While constructing Truman Dam the United States Army Corps of Engineers acquired over 56,000 acres of surrounding land. Homes were lost, farms, roads and railroads. In particular, the KATY railroad station in Clinton. The decline of train service had doomed the station to closure and disuse. The “Clinton Chamber of Commerce”, as it was called then was in need of a new home.Chamber Director, Joan Compton and others hatched a plan to not only save the depot but load it up and move it to a new home. After nearly losing the building to another bidder the Chamber secured the deal and signed the bill of sale in August, 1979. A public campaign began to raise the money needed to move and renovate the structure. The site of the Poague building at Main and Jefferson, had been donated by the Poague family to the City of Clinton and the Chamber acquired the 12,000 square foot corner lot. The plan involved a complete renovation of the depot, including a basement and publicly accessible rest rooms and public meeting space. The $50,000 needed to move and renovate the building was raised in about two weeks as dozens of businesses and individuals gave money, materials and labor to see the project to fruition. At the time the Poague family donation to corner lot was valued at approximately $63,000. Much of the renovation budget came by way of donations of materials and labor. Upon completion the value of the project was approximately $108,000. It was a wise investment as the property is worth many times that amount in 2014. Moving day for the Depot was December 9th, 1979. The significance of this day was clearly established. The five block journey to the site was longer than one might think. The tonnage of the building was raised and pulled by a truck through downtown streets as volunteers used poles to move lines, limbs and anything else that got in the way. According to those who watched it was a bit tricky to get the building into position over its new foundation and cheers erupted when it was in place. People lined the streets, as a parade of workers and a float the size of a train station, rolled by. That was the easy part. To say a plan that involves lifting a train depot onto the back of a truck, moving it five blocks through city streets, parking it perfectly over a new foundation then completely remodeling it is ambitious, if not outright wild, understatement. There must have been moments, hours, dozens of instances, when the entire endeavor appeared unlikely to succeed and the challenges were overwhelming. Those involved kept their focus, worked together, laughed and lost sleep and saw the vision through. Much credit is due to those chamber members, volunteers and officials who donated, believed and actually showed up with hammers and paint brushes to make this vision possible. After hundreds of hours of work the Chamber Depot opened in 1980. It’s sturdy but elegant design features decorative roof supports, Spanish tile, cathedral ceiling and amazing woodwork. It not only serves the Chamber it serves the entire community and has become a part of an identifiable brand that is Clinton. It it’s 35th year of service the Depot has itself become a tourist attraction. It sits at an angle which gives it a wide view of the entire Square and is a favored backdrop for countless families and selfies. A historic marker placed on the lawn commemorates the lives lost and those who care about such things consider the property a very special place. December 9th is a day of reminiscing, paying tribute and celebration events both tragic and thrilling. In the planned public ceremony December 9th, homage will be paid to the Poague Building tragedy and the rebirth of the site will be celebrated. In addition, December 9th also marks the 10th anniversary of the Post Clock which proudly stands on the Depot lawn. The clock was a gift from Schreiber Foods Inc. in commemoration of the Depot’s 25th anniversary. The event also kicks off a membership effort by the GCACC to attract new members. Chamber staff will be on hard to answer questions and explain their mission and programs. The Greater Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce is a business and community service organization with over 360 members. For more information on the anniversary call Debby Van Winkle, 660-885-8166.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 02:16:01 +0000