Peninsula Depot

Peninsula Depot is a small red station from the Valley Railway era in the village of Peninsula, now used as the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's ticket office and boarding point. It's the only historic depot still standing in the valley. If you're riding the train or walking through the village, it's an easy stop to add; on its own, it's a brief visit. Train schedules change by season, so check the current timetable before planning around a ride.

Parking is nearby at Lock 29 Trailhead on Mill Street. It can fill, and overflow can mean a longer walk, so leave extra time if you have a train to catch. The site has accessible flush restrooms, drinking water, and a picnic table. The restrooms and Towpath Trail are reached by crossing the tracks at the marked crossing, then following the river path to the right. Shops and restaurants in Peninsula are a short walk away.

The red station, white covered boarding platform, and tracks make a good photo together. The path toward the river offers another view.

This was a combination station, built to handle passengers and freight. The agent worked from the middle office, selling tickets, planning trips, and reporting freight and express movements. The Valley Railway opened in 1880; its trains carried coal, stone, ore, farm goods, and livestock north to Cleveland. Rail service also made it possible to ship fresh milk there without first processing it into cheese.

The first Peninsula Depot burned in the 1960s. In 1968, local designer and historic preservationist Robert Hunker bought the Boston Mill Depot and moved it about two miles to this spot. So the building you see is an original Valley Railway station, but it isn't the first depot that stood in Peninsula. It's now the valley's only historic depot still standing.