1900
The Hamlet passenger train station is constructed for the Seaboard Airline Railroad (now CSX Transportation) at the crossing of the Raleigh and Augusta Airline and Central Carolina Railway. Hamlet becomes the "hub" of the Seaboard Airline Railroad.
1916
North wing of the station is extended by 18 feet.
1936
A canopy, passenger subway and new center island platform are constructed to provide better shelter and access for the increasing number of train passengers.
1942
A two-story brick wing is constructed on the north end of the building for additional Seaboard office space and railroad switching equipment.
1976
The National Railroad Museum and Hall of Fame is chartered and occupies the lower level north wing of the station.
1993
North Carolina Department of Transportation approaches CSXT and the City about restoring the station using newly authorized federal enhancement funds.
1997
The City of Hamlet hires an architect to evaluate the station and prepare construction drawings for rehabilitation.
1999
CSXT notifies the City and NCDOT of its concern to renovate building surrounded by active train tracks. All parties agree that it is safer to move the building to a location that can be accessed without crossing active rail lines.
2000
The architect formulates a strategy to relocate and renovate the building; a new site is identified. The depot will be moved across the tracks, next to Main Street which will be realigned to accommodate the station. The station renovation is expected to become a catalyst for economic redevelopment in downtown Hamlet. The City and Amtrak install a temporary station to accommodate passengers during station renovation.
2001
CSX Transportation sells the Hamlet train station to the City of Hamlet for one dollar. The City hires a contractor to realign Main Street and improve its rail crossing to better accommodate the station in its new location. The contractor begins excavating the new station site.
2002
The 1942 brick addition is demolished and the original historic structure is stabilized. The moving company devises a plan to relocate the station. Contractors begin constructing the new basement and foundation for the 400-ton passenger station. Main Street reopens in its new location.
March 2003
The moving company begins preparing the building for the move. Steel beams are placed under the frame and cables are strung throughout the interior to stabilize the building. The lower five feet of siding is removed to accommodate the steel beams needed to support and jack up the building.
March 16, 2003
The station is rotated 90 degrees to prepare it for the move across the tracks to its new location.
April 4, 2003
The station is moved 210 feet across the tracks. It is placed on the new foundation and stabilized.
Summer 2003
The contractor begins renovation work on the 103-year-old station. Once completed, the Hamlet Depot will offer a large waiting room for train passengers, space for the railroad museum and archives, leased office space and a community room.
Fall 2004
Renovation of the Hamlet station is completed.
