Though it’s been moved a short distance from its original location, the old AB&A Depot at Lilly is one of the best unrestored examples of early 20th century railroad structures of this type in Georgia. It’s an iconic structure which attracts numerous photographers to the area.
Victor McGough writes: When I was very young, I remember seeing the depot operating in full vigor. There were two sides. One side held freight. the other side was for passengers. I remember seeing a man with an eyeshade on sitting at a desk working at something. Later on when this depot ceased to be a working depot, the Atlantic Coast Line RR built a small shelter painted white & purple, the color of their locomotives. I only saw people get off in Lily once. I have stated before that I use to watch Mr. Pierce Nelson string up the mail bag for the train to come roaring through and drop the incoming mail on the ground. I have a video of my son waving to the engineer in a train going by the depot in the picture.
Lilly Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 
When I was very young, I remember seeing the depot operating in full vigor. There were two sides. One side held freight. the other side was for passengers. I remember seeing a man with an eyeshade on sitting at a desk working at something. Later on when this depot ceased to be a working depot, the Atlantic Coast Line RR built a small shelter painted white & purple, the color of their locomotives. I only saw people get off in Lily once. I have stated before that I use to watch Mr. Pierce Nelson string up the mail bag for the train to come roaring through and drop the incoming mail on the ground. I have a video of my son waving to the engineer in a train going by the depot in the picture. Thanks for all the memories.
Memories indeed Victor. Over 50 years ago the postmaster in Oakwood GA used to let my cousins and me raise the mail bag to be grabbed by the passing Southern RR train and then retrieve the bag thrown off. I’m sure it was against post office regulations but things were simpler then…not necessarily better but certainly less “uptight”.
It is interesting that, with the possible exception of the Methodist and Baptist churches, in the glory days of the railroads the depot was the most prominent and architecturally interesting building in a community. Thankful for the ones that have survived and sad for all those lost. Thanks Brian, would love to see more of them.
This is awesome Brian!