Tours, trains and more highlight downtown Chatsworth’s Second Saturday in April

Published 12:02 am Thursday, March 28, 2019

The Chatsworth Depot and the Wright Hotel, located at the corner of Market Street and First Avenue in downtown Chatsworth, were important local gathering places back when the city was established in the early 20th century. The Whitfield-Murray Historical Society hopes to bring back those days with its annual Second Saturday events at these historic venues.

The 2019 Second Saturday season gets underway on April 13 when the popular model train expo that delights visitors of all ages returns to the depot. Highlights include live steam model trains, an outdoor model sponsored by the Georgia Garden Railroad Society (weather permitting), a model that kids can operate, a train installation van with push button sounds and other model trains, as well as vendors selling models, accessories and railroad-themed clothing for kids and adults. Chatsworth Ford continues to sponsor the day, and there is no admission charged for the event which will be open from noon to 5 p.m.

For many years, travelers on the original Louisville & Nashville Railroad through Chatsworth could spend the night at the Wright Hotel. This National Register of Historic Places site was constructed in 1909 and operated into the 1960s. This three-story structure will be open for tours as well. The building features period furnishings along with exhibits about early Murray County history.

On display for the first time will be a collection of artifacts and photographs from the famous Rock Building, the original home of Murray County High School. Celebrating its 85th year in 2019, the wonderful old building was gutted by fire a few years ago and underwent an award-winning restoration to become the administrative center of the Murray County school system.

Among the items on display will be class rings, diplomas and even pieces of old lockers complete with the user’s name. Visit and learn how these remnants managed to survive the flames, and also see a “new” selection of hand-tufted and chenille bedspreads from the historical society’s growing collection of locally-made textiles. These tours are also free and begin at noon. The last tour begins at 4:15.

For more information, check both the Wright Hotel and Chatsworth Depot Facebook pages as well as the historical society website at www.whit field-murrayhistoricalsocie ty.org.