Submitted photo Pictured is Joe Kortz, Village of South Dayton Trustee, Benny Bottita, President of the South Dayton Volunteer Fire Department, Larry Zollinger, former mayor and current Pine Valley Central School board member, Brian Abram from Congressman Nick Langworthy’s office, Dave Kohler, town of Dayton councilman, Charles Nobles, commander of the South Dayton American Legion Post No. 1593, and former mayor Karen Strickland, at the reading and presentation of the proclamation during the South Dayton Depot Anniversary celebration.

SOUTH DAYTON — These days, train depots are few and far between, but the one in South Dayton still stands, recently celebrating its 150th anniversary.

An anniversary celebration was held at the beginning of September, complete with old-fashioned activities and demonstrations such as painting rocks, making kites, scrubbing clothes in a washbin, a Kentucky Derby hat making class and more. Students from the piano studio played quiet background music, and the Fire Bells Fireman’s Auxiliary sold hot dogs, and there were also Horse and Carriage rides through the village of South Dayton. A representative of Congressman Nick Langworthy’s office presented and read a proclamation at the event as well.

Depot Historian Karen Strickland said the event went very well, even with a small concern about the weather early in the morning. The event was with the support of the Fire Department, the local American Legion Post, and the village trustees. The anniversary event also included a farmer’s market and dessert food truck.

“It’s amazing that this building is still standing 150 years later,” Strickland said. “History is important to all, and it is good that we were able to restore the building, which took multiple people, and that people care about the history that is saved in the depot.”

Many other train depots have been torn down, and Strickland said they were lucky theirs was not. She added that there are all kinds of stories connected to the depot, including train excursions from the Lake Erie region and one story of a woman who lost her husband and took the train to Buffalo every day to learn to be a beautician to be able to support her children.

“These local stories are what makes the depot’s history,” Strickland said. “There were also the movies that were filmed there too.”

Specifically, the movies “The Natural” and “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” filmed at the South Dayton Depot, and Strickland said the ticket window used by Robert Redford in “The Natural” was from the depot, along with the one used in “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”. Displays for both movies are available to be seen at the depot as well.

While the train ticket window has a lot of history on its own, Strickland said other historical artifacts at the depot include books and forms from the last station master and a telegraph that he used. Passenger service at the depot was discontinued in 1950 but freight trains continued afterwards, along with excursions from Gowanda.

“Preserving history is important and I am very impressed with some of these young adults that come and ask questions,” Strickland said. “We have a lot of fun and enjoy talking with people and having the train excursions to bring people to the community.”

Looking to the future, while Strickland said they do not know what comes next the hope is that the committee, which is made up of people who like to talk about the depot and those that help to repair it, will be able to bring in speakers to talk about historical topics, such as the Cherry Creek Historian. Strickland said they are also talking about doing something for America’s 250th birthday next year, and working on getting grants from the Arts Council.

Strickland encouraged everyone to come out to visit the depot and learn more about the history, including that in 1875 one of the early settlers sold the railroad six and a half acres to make sure it would come through South Dayton.

“Come out and look at the depot,” Strickland said. “We’re open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. It’s important for people to see the history of the area, and not all communities have the opportunity for a train to come. Come see and learn about its history.”

The South Dayton Depot is located at 108 West Railroad Street. For more information visit amishtrail.com/place/depot-movie-and-rail-museum-308.