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History Buffs Attend Linville Depot Celebration Day in Newland this Past Saturday as Restoration Continues

By Marilyn Ball

Michael Hardy sells a duplicate ticket from Linville to Johnson City, Tenn. aboard the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina (ET&WNC) railroad. Photo by Marilyn Ball

Nov. 9, 2012. About 60 history buffs stopped in at the Linville Depot Celebration Day this past Sunday, Nov. 4 in Newland. The Avery County Historical Museum along with Joel Shipley and Jerry Turbyfild from ET&WNC Historical Society had open house to celebrate the historic Linville Depot and all the progress that has been made toward restoring the ET&WNC (Tweetsie) railroad depot to its former glory.

During the celebration, renowned local traditional country musician Terry McKinney of Spruce Pine entertained the crowd with old railroad songs.

The depot was in operation form 1917 to 1937 in Linville and was moved to Newland in 2007. The depot now sets beside the Avery County Historical Museum which is housed in the old county jail beside the courthouse. 

Restoration is still in progress. Anyone wishing to make contributions can do so by mail at P.O. Box 266, Newland NC 28657.

To view the museum’s website, visit averymuseum.com and for more information call the museum at 828-733-7111 or  contact Cindy Peters at 828-765-4787.

Additional images

An interview with Paul Fletcher who often rode with his father on the “Tweetsie.” Photo by Marilyn Ball

 

Joel Shipley of the ET&WNC Historical Society sitting by a picture of the depot. Photo by Marilyn Ball