The Painesville Depot was opened in 1893, under the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Line.
This was a very proud building in its day. The entire building cost was $18,075.00.
The style of the building is Richardsonian Romanesque and the Architect was Shepley,
Rutan & Coolidge from Boston, Massachusetts.
1851 March – First wood frame train station was build for Cleveland, Painesville and Ashtabula RR.
1851 November 20 – First train ran from Painesville to Cleveland
1869 March – Lake Shore Railway Co. was formed
1869 May – Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad was formed
1892 July – Groundbreaking of the new Lake Shore depot.
1893 February 1 – The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Station Opens
1893 – Inspector J. W. Leighton said, “It’s the finest station of this line east of Cleveland, and it is surpassed by none in convenient, arrange mentor elegance of finish.”
1914 April 29 – The New York Central Railroad Company was formed by the consolidation of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway Co. and 10 other railroad companies.
During World War I, Lake County service men said “Goodbye” from this station. The station became a canteen for the traveling soldiers during World War II.
1969 March 1 – Penn Central Railroad was formed
1971 May – Passenger service to Painesville Depot had stopped.
1971 May – The depot became a Greyhound Bus station until about mid 1988.
1997 – The Western Reserve Railroad Association was formed to help save this historic landmark.
2000 – The Lubrizol Corporation donated a caboose to the WRRA.
2002 – Ohio Historical Maker awarded
2006 March – The caboose was destroyed in a fire.
2015 April 20 – The City of Painesville makes Railroad Street and Depot a Historic District.
2015 June 5, 6 & 7 – The Lincoln Train comes to Painesville with 5000 guests in two days.
2015 Summer – B&O caboose restoration begins.
2015 Fall – restoration of the Depot begins with restrooms & water service.
2017 March 27 – “eyebrow window” sees daylight once again after 50-plus years.
2019 Fall – Skip Heth’s 4-6-0 Live Steamer is donated to PRRM.
2020 February 29 – Engine #999 Lease is signed with CHSAA & Vesel’s Family.
2020 Spring – 1890’s Horse Drawn Trolley donated to PRRM by Paul Hach.
2021 Summer – Engine Barn & CSX box car display – ground breaking.
2023 – Engine Barn Trolley Room named
2024 – Summer Engine Barn Dedication
