Depot Renovation Project

Depot Re-dedication Ceremony, October 26, 2006

A special re-dedication ceremony was held at the historic Belton Train Depot on Thursday, October 26, 2006 at 5:30 PM.

"The three-year-long process of securing funding, rehabilitating, and renovating the historic Belton Train Depot is finally complete.  This ceremony was planned to mark this auspicious occasion," said Alison Darby of the Belton Area Museum Association.

The Depot underwent a renovation in the 1980's and was dedicated in 1983 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places, but over the twenty plus years since that time, the building had deteriorated due to termite and water damage and needed a face-lift and upgrades to bring the building back up to code.

A multi-organizational push was needed to secure the funding for the extensive renovations.

"In the downtown revitalization planning phase, the Depot's renovation became a top priority for our community members.  We are glad that the SC Transportation Department, our local ANATS (Anderson Area Transportation Study) board, Anderson County Administrator Joey Preston and his staff at the Planning Commission, Councilman Larry Greer, and State Senator Billy O'Dell and Representative Ronny Townsend all pitched in to make this project a reality," remarked Lee Easley-Harris of the Belton Area Partnership.

Working closely with the Belton Area Museum Association (which owns the property) and the SC Tennis Patrons Foundation (which oversees the SC Tennis Hall of Fame), BAP director Lee Easley-Harris spearheaded the funding efforts.

"When the bids came in for the work planned and proposed by veteran architect Earl Gaulden of Craig, Gaulden and Davis of Greenville, SC, we were way over-budget based on our initial funding and Anderson County's matching grant.  With a second round of ANATS funding granted, the final amount of $335,00 was acquired to renovate 2/3rds of the building.

"Another $20,000 from endowments to the museum has been spent by the Belton Area Museum Association to upgrade and renovate the former library space and add security measures to the entire building," said Darby.

All spaces now meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) code requirements.  New decking and railing have been added to the ramps, the entire building has been painted inside and out, new plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems have been added, spaces have been opened up internally to each other, new industrial flooring has been laid, a heat-up kitchen in the Center Section will be available for parties and receptions, and fire and burglar alarm systems have been installed.

The building is now a modern and efficient community landmark that can accommodate visitors to both museums, the performance and exhibition areas, and a small retail space.

Dignitaries and special guests were on hand to participate in the ceremony on Thursday.

The public was invited to attend.

"We encourage the public to come out and see the changes, upgrades, and renovations.  This is foremost a public building and our goal is to make sure that the public can and will use the facility," said Darby.

Following the ceremony, light refreshments were served and tours of the building were given by members of the BAMA board of directors.

The museums should be open by the spring of 2007, and the Center Section, which offers bi-monthly bluegrass shows, will be up and running by November.

Grand Opening
Historic Belton Train Depot & Museums
Sunday, March 25, 2007
2:00 - 5:00 PM

Photos Taken at Grand Opening on March 25, 2007

A train whistle was heard once again as the Historic Belton Train Depot, the Ruth Drake Museum, and the SC Tennis Hall of Fame celebrated the grand re-opening of the facility on Sunday, March 25, 2007, from 2:00 - 5:00 PM.

"To help us celebrate, Pickens Railway Company made a diesel train engine available for children and adults to climb aboard, have pictures made with engineer attire, and pull the whistle," said Director/Curator Lou Bolton.

Also on tap were museum tours, tennis matches on the lawn, home made hand-cranked ice cream, a strolling barbershop quartet, railroad signaling demonstration, model train exhibition, and much more.

This event celebrated the culmination of a two-year long rehabilitation and reconstruction project for the historic Southern-Blue Ridge Combined Railway Train Depot in Belton, SC.  With TEA grants from the SC DOT and Anderson County totaling $335,000 and funds raised from patrons, this ca. 1910 building now shines as an economic catalyst, tourism destination, and showpiece of local history.

"As a stop on the SC National Heritage Corridor, the Belton Area Museum Association is excited about the possibilities the organization can provide for cultural enrichment and educational stimulation for Belton citizens and visitors to the city," remarked Bolton.

The event was free to the public.  For more information, contact Shirah Heller, 864-338-7400 or bama7400@aol.com.