St. Johnsbury's Rail Road Depot, which was at one time the center of transportation for this Connecticut River Valley
town will once again become a focal point the community.
The Rail Station was built in 1883 but had fallen into disrepair over the years. The historic building was purchased in the 1970's by Burlington based real estate developer Anthony Pomerleau. Pomerleau has donated the building to the City of St. Johnsbury.
St. Johnsbury is recovering from several economic setbacks; St. Johnsbury Trucking - one of the largest employers in the region closed their doors, and a devastating downtown fire in 2000 left a vacant lot in the heart of the Main Business district. All that has changed- the destroyed downtown building has been completely rebuilt and the damaged building renovated. Now, St. Johnsbury's deteriorating Rail Depot is being improved and renovated. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the regions Welcome Center was held in September and the community is on the rebound.The rail depot - an "historical treasure" according to State Senator Bernier Mayo joins The Athenaeum, St. Johnsbury Academy, and The Fairbanks Museum as local landmarks.
The St. Johnsbury Welcome Center is now operating out of the Old Railroad Depot, stop in when you visit the Northeast Kingdom. The Railroad Depot is now called the Pomerleau Building and is located on Railroad Square, Rt.5 (Railroad Street), Downtown St. Johnsbury, Vermont.
Pomerleau bought the building several decades ago and saved it from possible destruction. The town, at that time, wanted to level the historic structure and replace it with a parking lot. Vermont Living salutes both the vision and generosity of Mr. Pomerleau.
