Cookeville Depot Museum
Originally built in 1909, the Cookeville Depot Museum is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, and is the heart of Cookeville's historic Westside District. The museum houses many Tennessee Central Railway artifacts, as well as an HO scale replica of what Cookeville's Westside looked like in the summer of 1955. On the other side of the diorama is a replica of a coal tipple with a model train loading up with coal.
The grounds surrounding the museum are considered a park area where the museum has a static display consisting of a 1913 Baldwin steam engine, a 1920's classic red caboose, a 1960's caboose, and two small track cars. This area also offers two picnic tables and a number of benches for visitors. Please feel free to bring a sack lunch and stay a while!
History
From its beginnings over one hundred years ago, the Tennessee Central Railroad was a significant force in the development of Putnam County and Cookeville. It was a paramount feature in our political, cultural and social landscape. Though it ceased operations in 1968, its contribution to the fabric of our lives was kept alive by citizens that cared enough to resurrect a derelict old depot and help turn it into a museum dedicated to preserving an elemental part of our history.
Rolling Stock
The Cookeville Depot Museum has five pieces of rolling stock on its grounds. These include a Tennessee Central Caboose, an L&N Caboose, a 1913 Baldwin Steam Engine, and two small track cars. Both of the cabooses are open during museum hours but remain closed during inclement weather.
The grounds surrounding the trains are considered a park area, and this area also offers two picnic tables and a number of benches for visitors, so feel free to bring a sack lunch and stay a while.
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