The Danville Train Station: Back on Track

The Danville Railroad Depot opened in 1871 as a busy transportation hub, bringing commerce and opportunity to the heart of town. But when rail travel faded and cars took over, the station fell silent. By the 1950s, trains had stopped running altogether. The ticket office and waiting room sat empty, and the building slowly crumbled.

A Town That Wouldn’t Quit

Danville never gave up on its train station. In 1974, the Danville Historical Society started a preservation campaign. They tackled landscaping and structural repairs. In 1991, a matching grant from UVM’s Historic Preservation Program funded a conservation report that became the roadmap for future work.

Through the 1990s, after the property was deeded to the town, momentum built. The foundation got fixed. The freight room became the town’s recycling center. The Danville Woman’s Club replaced the front door with an authentic replica and restored the wood-paneled waiting room. The building stayed in limited use, waiting for its next chapter.

Where History Meets the Trail

When plans solidified for the 93-mile Lamoille Valley Rail Trail—connecting St. Johnsbury to Swanton—the Town of Danville saw their moment. With strong community backing and funding from VHCB, they set out to transform the historic depot into something more than a relic: a living trailhead where history and recreation could meet.

In 2022, the depot earned a spot on the State Register of Historic Places and became eligible for the National Historic Register. On September 18, 2025—seven years after planning began—the newly renovated station opened its doors.

Now trail users arrive by bike and foot to refill water bottles and use ADA-accessible bathrooms. The “passenger side” houses an exhibit curated by the Danville Historical Society, documenting the railroad’s 1871 arrival and the threads of community history. On the “freight side,” plans are underway for a bike rental shop, gear outfitter, and food kiosk. The station has become what it was always meant to be: a gathering place.

Jim Murphy Commands the Telegraph Office at the Danville Train Station

Conservation Meets Community

This project reflects VHCB’s dual mission—supporting both historic conservation while strengthening a Vermont community. The restored depot sits along conserved rail corridor, connecting people to Vermont’s landscape and its past. It’s the kind of work VHCB has been doing since 1987: investing in projects where heritage becomes infrastructure, where old buildings find new purpose.

As Vermont State Historic Preservation Officer Devin Colman put it: “These restored depots are becoming vital community assets again, serving trail users while preserving our railroad heritage for future generations.”

Want to learn more about how VHCB supports projects like this? Check out our 2025 Annual Report.