The first depot in Odum was built by the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad in 1888. [The area was first known as Haslam, and for a time as Satilla, for the nearby Little Satilla Creek, and finally came to be known as Odum, for pioneer settler Godfrey Odum, in 1880]. After being destroyed by fire in 1904, it was replaced with this Southern Railway structure in 1905. In 1969, a Southern Railway official bought the depot and moved it to Jesup, where it remained for over 30 years. An effort to relocate it in Odum began in 1992 and with a Transportation Enhancement Grant and lots of community donations and enthusiasm, it was returned to its rightful home in 2002. I’m always amazed by what a little civic pride and love of place can do for a community; nearby Ludowici has recently decided not to save their old depot in any meaningful way, which is a shame. I hope they will find a way. Many others have taken the same path and it speaks to a the larger loss of cultural landmarks everywhere. They can’t be replaced.
Actually Odum’s first name was “stop #5”. Also it was the Macon & Brunswick railroad before becoming Soithern then Norfolk Southern
I heard the story that the depot had been moved to Jesup by county workers and used as a storage shed for many years. Someone finally re-discovered it and identified it as the old Odum Depot at which point the interest was generated to move it back to Odum and restore it. It has become a local city museum and local events are held there. Odum is a small town but has a LOT of town pride and enthusiasm.
Thanks for that story, Phyllis. Very interesting, and yes, Odum has a lot of local pride. I always enjoy my visits there, or just driving through on my way to Fitzgerald…
Very true. It was found I Jesup and moved back to Odum for restoration. As the admin for Model Railroad and Railfans of Georgia I hope to have out first annual meeting here and give a few trainsets away to needing children this Christmas.