Historic Ohio & Mobile Train Depot

After the Mobile and Ohio Railroad was established, resort hotels became the vacationers need. In search of the healing springs, tourists flocked to the Citronelle resorts. The Pullman Hotel, The Hotel Citronelle, and The Drummer Hotel accommodated the tourist rush in the late 1800's. The Hygeia Hotel also served as a tuberculin hospital of sorts. Small cottages were built around the back perimeter of the hotel to give patients access to the healing springs. Several of the hotels became Alabama landmarks until they were destroyed. The Hotel Citronelle, the last remaining hotel, was torn down in the 1970's.

     Historic Hygeia Cottage
   
The tragic history of the Civil War also finds a place in the town of Citronelle. The last surrender of the Confederate Army, east of the Mississippi River, was made at "Surrender Oak" on May 4, 1865. Led by Commander General Richard Taylor forces laid down their guns to Union General E.R.S. Canby near Sydney Station. A memorial marker placed by the Preservation Society of Mobile marks where the original white oak (destroyed by the hurricane of 1906) once stood.
Below is the same as the page before.
           Link to its souce.
  We stopped by the old station and walked around it. It was closed. We figured this would be a 15 minute stop.
One side
The other side.
Tracks ran on either side of the building. There were doors to the storage room on both sides of the building.
And a Coke machine.
Hygeia Cottage, Read the margin, above.
  The Baggage Car was used as a  room in a private school in another town. This was one of several used there. It was donated as was much of the treasure.
Maintenance Stuff
   Then a lady showed up and was going inside. She asked us if we would like to look around. We said, "yes", not believeing our good fortune. The tour began.
  This is original appearance of the station. Look at the dome. It appears to be Victoriian in style. She said it would cost 75,000 dollars to replicate it.
A 1950's era train picture hangs on the wall in the waiting room.
Before the station had been saved, vandals had wreckled it.
A man had removed the old stove.
When he saw that the station was being saved, he returned it.
The original floor was laid over a new one. Peg and pine, possibly?
Yes, there were separate waiting rooms and ticket counters for "white" and "colored".
    The station also houses memorabilia of the era it served. The doll, I was told, is very fragile. Our guide said she is afraid to dress it.
  This is our very nice and accommodating guide. Of course I don't remember her name. But, mam, if you read this, thank you very much. Your hospitality made our trip.  Southerners.
You must call ahead for a tour. She stressed volunteers are scarce.