Southern - Jefferson City Depot

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The East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, which would later become a part of Southern, came to Mossy Creek in 1858.  According to the Historical Marker Database John Roper Branner provided the land... and stipulated that all passenger trains must stop in Mossy Creek. The first train depot, completed in 1870, burned in 1930, and a new building was erected later that same year. (Courtesy of Tennessee State Library and Archives)  

John Roper Branner, builder of the Glenmore Mansion, less than one mile from the depot, was a prominent citizen in Jefferson City and instrumental in bringing the railroad to Mossy Creek.  

The Mossy Creek Depot was razed in 1985.  Thanks to the Mossy Creek Foundation, a Mossy Creek Station Pavilion, reminiscent of the depot, has been erected at 711 E. Main Street, Jefferson City.   Just like the depot in days of old, this pavilion is a welcoming and inviting venue that encourages the participation of the community through various events such as farmers markets, festivals, and movie nights, which are held throughout the year.

Today...

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Former site of the Mossy Creek Depot in the historic section of what is now Jefferson City, TN.

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Mossy Creek Station Park is a community gathering place honoring the history of the train depot. Established by Mossy Creek Foundation and the city of Jefferson City as part of a revitalization project.

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Mossy Creek Station Park Pavilion is a community gathering place honoring the history of the train depot. The left side of the pavilion is a replica of the gable roof of the former depot.

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Mossy Creek Station Park Pavilion faces Main Street with a view of the former site of the original depot which faced the railroad tracks.

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The right side of Mossy Creek Station Pavilion. 

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A painting of the former Mossy Creek/Jefferson City Depot is displayed on a building adjacent to the Park Pavilion.

This depot is nearly identical to the Southern Depot in Limestone, and the former depot in Jonesborough. Built in the Greek Revival style, three beautiful gable dormers feature scalloped shingle-siding, with diamond-shaped lattice or lozenge windows.  A plank sidewalk encompasses two sides.  Two chimneys are visible.

The tall pole on the left side of the photo above is a semaphore signal.  In the daytime, the two-position arm blades, placed either horizontally or vertically, indicated whether a train was to stop at the station temporarily in order to receive messages for the crew, to pass by without stopping, or to stop and wait.  At night, colored lights of red and green were used.  Kerosene was used in the late 1800s, but was replaced by electric bulbs in the early 1900s.

The depot had an identical eave roof on the left "front" facing Main Street, as well as on the right side.  A double window with a ticket counter, as well as the entrance door and a freight door are on the front.  

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A close up of the painting depicting the former Mossy Creek Depot. 

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The view of the Mossy Creek Station Park Pavilion from Main Street.

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Railroad tracks near the former site of the Mossy Creek Station, Jefferson City, leading toward Morristown, TN.

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Mossy Creek Foundation revitalization sign with historical marker information on an historical building on East Main Street, Jefferson City, TN.

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Wood replica of the Mossy Creek Express in Mossy Creek Station Park, Jefferson City, TN.

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Miniature East Tennessee Virginia and Georgia Railway Caboose Little Free Library, Mossy Creek Station Park.

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Close up of brick on a building with painting of Mossy Creek Depot adjacent to the Mossy Creek Station Park.

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Walking through the Mossy Creek historic section downtown Jefferson City, is like traveling back in time.  One can envision stepping off the train and taking refreshment at the Old City Cafe just a few steps down Main street.  Students of Mossy Creek Missionary Baptist Seminary (known today as Carson Newman University) arriving on the train enjoyed a two-minute walk through the towering and majestic trees and rolling green landscape that was Mossy Creek.  Development has encroached with numerous homes, but this historic area is still beautiful today.  

Southern - Jefferson City Depot