Seven to Save 2021: Newington Railroad Depot

Uniqueness in Need of Preserving

Photo of Newington Railroad Depot courtesy of Jim Garvin

This tucked-away station is the only remaining intact railroad-associated building in Newington. As an example of a combined depot, bridge toll house, and second-floor stationmaster residence, it is a rare property type in New Hampshire. Built in 1873, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

This depot served the Portsmouth and Dover Railroad, built in 1873, that included a combined two-lane railroad and carriage bridge across Little Bay from Bloody Point in Newington to Dover Point. A ferry had served that crossing since 1640. The new bridge included a swing section that the stationmaster operated with a windlass, allowing vessels to pass between Great Bay and the Piscataqua River.

Obsolescence Resulting from Advancement

Newington Railroad Depot Roof. Photo courtesy of Jim Garvin

The Newington Depot became obsolete in 1934 when the General Sullivan Bridge was built and the Boston and Maine Railroad abandoned the Portsmouth and Dover Line. In 1937 the State acquired the land and depot, which it still owns, with plans to create a park or recreation area at each end of the old bridge. Hilton Park in Dover was completed, but nothing was done on the Bloody Point side of the bridge. The Depot was a private residence from 1937 to 1971 and has been vacant and boarded up since then. The state recently rebuilt the deteriorating chimneys, but the roof has reached the end of its useful life and the exterior paint has failed exposing the clapboards to the elements.

Previous Efforts Have Not Taken Hold

From time to time, the Town of Newington and the State of New Hampshire have envisaged making the property an attractive waterfront historic site, but nothing has come of those ideas to revitalize and rehabilitate the depot. Seven to Save highlights an opportunity to preserve this under-used site and local advocates are rallying to the cause.

Click to learn more about our Seven to Save program and view past listees:

Thanks to our generous 2021 Seven to Save sponsors: Anagnost Companies, Chinburg Properties and Milestone Engineering & Construction, Inc. Also: Great Bridge Properties | JLT Painting | Turnstone Corporation | American Steeple & Tower Co., Inc. SMP Architecture | Dennis Mires, P.A., The Architects | Ciborowski Associates |Fisher Engineering | JR Graton Historic Restoration, LLC | Misiaszek Turpin, PLLC | Peter W. Powell Real Estate | Graham & Veroff, P.C. Summit Engineering | Yeaton Associates, Inc. | Ambit Engineering, Inc. | DB Architects, LLC | Altus Engineering, Inc. | Erie Landmark Co. Emanual Engineering, Inc. | Alba Architects, LLP | Enviro-Tote, Inc. | Arch Weathers Historic SashWorks, LLC | Udelsman Associates Hamblet Electric | Samyn-D’Elia Architects | Abatron, Inc. | Nobis Engineering, Inc.

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