A HISTORY OF THE CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI DEPOT
-Complied by Ernie W. Rice, Jr.-

The railroads determined the location of Corinth, Mississippi, originally known as Crossroads, because it was the site where the longest railroads in the nation in the 1860’s intersected and crossed. These railroads were the Memphis & Charleston Railway and the Mobile & Ohio Railroad. The intersection as it is today is within a few feet of this original Civil War site.

Corinth was officially settled in 1854 several years prior to the war because of these railroads and their intersection. The community expanded rapidly because of these railroads. By 1861, both railroads were in full operation. The population was 1200; 5 churches, Corona college, 3 large hotels, numerous businesses and a number of fine homes had been built in growing community.

Corinth witnessed more military action than any other in the Confederate West. In the mid 1800’s, the Tishomingo Hotel with an adjoining train station located at the rail crossing. In January of 1865, this station and hotel were burned by the Confederates as they withdrew from Corinth.

Later in the 1800’s another wooden train station was erected at the site of the crossing of the Memphis & Charleston Railway and the Mobil & Ohio Railroad. Around the turn of the century, this building was demolished and a Victorian styled train station was erected to serve the area’s rail needs.

This building was later replaced in 1919 by a newer, more functional train station. This structure still stands today and exists substantially as it was when first built. At its zenith in the 1930’s and 40’s approximately 30 passenger trains stopped at Corinth station.

After many years of service to the traveling public and then after the demise of passenger service, the Corinth depot fell into disrepair and neglect causing the then owning railroad to schedule the demolition of this historic structure. In late 1988, after learning of the plans for the destruction of this building, a group of some 35 civic, business and professional leaders were organized in an effort to try to "Save the Depot". After numerous meetings and discussions with the then owning railroad, Mid south Railroad Corporation, the management of the railroad was convinced to withhold the demolition of the building and plans were made to form a non-profit organization to attempt to acquire and preserve the depot.

Early in 1991 an agreement was reached with the Mid south Railroad Corporation that allowed the Corinth Depot, Inc., to receive ownership to one of Corinth’s most historic landmarks, which has become known as the symbol and logo of Corinth, Mississippi. Ownership was transferred to the Alcorn Co. Board of Supervisors.

Plans are presently underway for a $350,000 renovation. The building will house the Northeast Mississippi Museum in the near future.