Waterbury’s historic railroad station was built in 1875 and was the centerpiece of Waterbury Village for more than 75 years. Through the 1950s, Waterbury Station served as the gateway to Vermont attractions, central among them alpine skiing at nearby Stowe, and the Mad River Glen. The Central Vermont Railway Ski Train brought tens of thousands of passengers to Vermont’s ski slopes and winter carnivals.
As the interstate highway system reached deeper into the Green Mountains, train travel began its decline. Waterbury Station saw its last steam locomotive in 1957, and a Waterbury exit ramp built on Interstate 89 in 1962 loomed as the beginning of the end of Waterbury’s rail history.
In 1995 the Amtrak Vermonter made its inaugural run, bringing rail service once again to the village. Two years later, Revitalizing Waterbury began its herculean effort to restore the historic rail station, partnering with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Foundation in 2005. The restoration effort began in earnest in February, 2006.
Waterbury Station opened its doors again in October, 2006, as the home of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Visitor Center and Café and the Waterbury Village Community Room. Waterbury Station continues to serve as an active Amtrak rail station, and offers daily passenger rail service.
Credits:
Photos in this article by Mitch Moraski.
History based on timeline by Revitalizing Waterbury.
January 01, 2009
Dear Green Mountain Coffee & Family,
Hey I was there a couple of years ago while on holiday and your great!! I happened across your company’s name and went right to your web site.
May I ask a favor; “Get that camera out and snap some pictures?”
The City of Waterbury and Train Station are National Monuments!!!
When I was your guest- “Drinking coffee, eating desert, and learning about the Green Mountain Coffee Companies dedication to Fair Trade”, I was, well needless to say: “More than impressed”.
All of this while being surrounded by the perfectly restored and actual 1800′s Train Station. A real train even came through and slowed to a crawl, then went right next to us. Everyone in the area came to watch. We gathered out on the stations back porch.
It made me feel like history just stood still…I felt like a kid again! Truly proud to be an American. The adjacent city park with its beautifully aged Lilac trees, and of course the train station’s design itself.
I had just stopped along my journey as there was a marketplace in the park that day. I then happened across you, shocked to see such a building, I went inside and being a coffee drinker (5 shots), I am so thankful I did.
My time in Vermont, Maine etc..will be some of the happiest I will ever have in my lifetime. Sharing them with Green Mountain Coffee was a part of that…(first time skydiving, hot air ballooning and even getting to see a Moose, didn’t hurt either!)
It was a lovely Memorial Day week which ended with a local county fair and fireworks!!! It pays sometimes not to make plans in advance. Wow, honestly, everyone was so very nice…”Thank you”
In closing, “Wishing you the very best, always”. Now get that camera and get going!! Please, show us the Train Station, share the history!!!
Your Friend,
August
Washington State/USA
ps…Thanks for a great cup of coffee!!