Abingdon Revives Its Ex-Train Station as a Hub for Seniors

Abingdon – In a beautiful blend of history and community spirit, Abingdon’s former passenger train station is on track to become a vibrant senior center. The plan to convert this historic building into a hub for the town’s older residents has been a beacon of hope for many who have long sought a dedicated space for their gatherings.

During an August 6 meeting of the Abingdon Town Council, Town Manager Mike Cochran shared the exciting news, underscoring the significance of this project. “We have a lot of seniors in town, like 26% of the population are seniors,” Cochran remarked. He shared a heartfelt moment when he made “a pinky promise” with a senior at a church to find a place for regular senior meetings.

The upcoming center will replace the now-closed Abingdon Senior Center, also known as “The Community Center of Abingdon”, which had been a cornerstone for senior activities for decades. Thanks to a generous grant of more than $584,000 from the Wellspring Foundation, the renovation will include crucial additions like a kitchen to facilitate communal meals and activities.

“This place will be right downtown, making it easily accessible,” Cochran expressed. “It’s critical that our seniors have a location to call their own, offering them a space for social activities and community bonding. We’re aiming to show them a proof of concept.”

Previously, this historic station was versatile in its uses, serving as a police station, a library for the Historical Society of Washington County, and a small-business incubator, among other things. Recently, it housed a bicycle and T-shirt business linked to Sundog Outfitters of Damascus, Virginia. It even served as the temporary home of the long-running Gallery at Barr Photographics.

Now sitting vacant, the town has used funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to upgrade the building’s climate control with spray foam insulation, ensuring a comfortable environment for its new occupants. Additionally, plans are in motion to make the station universally accessible per ADA guidelines, a critical step in making the center welcoming to all.

As it transitions into a senior facility, Cochran elaborated on the building’s new role. “It will be open for meetings, playing games like bridge, and just enjoying each other’s company,” he said. “This is a move in the right direction, giving our seniors a place to be together.”

Constructed around 1909, the station has a fascinating history, having been part of the passenger train era, including the line that’s now known as the Virginia Creeper Trail. Together with the Arts Depot, it forms a significant part of Abingdon’s Depot Square. The station is also connected via the town’s Urban Pathway, a pedestrian passage that links it to the Virginia Creeper Trail.

“It’s wonderful to see an empty building being repurposed for such a good cause,” commented Mayor Amanda Pillion. She further emphasized that even if the senior center is later moved, the necessary renovations ensure that the building will continue to benefit the town.

The facility, featuring a large kitchen and the Virginia Ballroom, stands about 1.5 miles from the train station that’s being prepared for the new senior center. The previously used senior center, now closed, was located off Senior Drive and had been utilized as a gambling center and bingo parlor.

Upcoming plans also include a crucial meeting of the Washington County Board of Supervisors, scheduled for August 13. During this meeting, further updates on the renovation of the ex-train station transformation will be discussed, ensuring the community remains fully informed and involved in this significant project.

In transforming an empty, historic building into a lively senior center, Abingdon is doing more than just repurposing a space; it’s crafting a bright, inclusive future for its seniors, honoring the past while paving the way for new memories and connections.