History of The Train Depot
Did you know in the late 1800s Norcross was known as “Atlanta’s Summer Resort?” A commuter train, “The Airline Bell,” would bring visitors up from Atlanta to escape the heat or take Norcross residents into Atlanta for school and work (think of it like the first MARTA).
1870 when Norcross was born and The Brunswick Hotel (now what we know as Woods Animal Hospital) was established, the word about Norcross being a new, exciting destination began to grow like wildfire. The Brunswick Hotel was a beautiful wooden building that was a popular resort destination for Atlantan’s that would come up on The Airline Belle.
The Train Depot, what we know now as The Crossing Steak House, was originally built on the western side of the tracks. In November 1908, the original train depot caught fire in the middle of the night and burnt to the ground. In 1909, for the price of $4,750 (now days well over 300K) moved it to its current location on the east side of the tracks.
Having this depot here in the early 1900's put the city of Norcross on the map. In terms of impact, think of a popular mall in the middle of a rural neighborhood. The trains, now being able to stop at this station, could drop off essential goods (mail, food, construction products, etc.) which increased the traffic to and from the small community.
Today, this old train depot is not used to transport people to and from Atlanta, but it is used to wine and dine people from all over. For 150 years this building has served the local community and been a hub for visitors and residents alike.
Now you can dine on Contemporary American Cuisine in an atmosphere as genuine as America itself. From the mouthwatering Ribeye to their on fire Creme Brûlée or my personal favorite the French Onion Soup, The Crossing will give you a taste of true Americana.
The next time you stop in or hear the roar of the train coming by, pretend that you are a visitor from the late 1800s who stepped off the Airline Belle to escape the city. Norcross is not just a little suburb of Atlanta to be missed, but a destination where you can experience and explore a taste of history.
Facts provided by: Then & Now: Norcross book that you can buy in our welcome center!]
