The rail line between Strasburg, Virginia and neighbouring towns was established in the late 1860s under the charter of the Winchester and Strasburg Railroad (chartered in 1867). By July 1870 the B&O had assumed operation of the Winchester & Strasburg line.
Around this period—the early 1870s—a freight station was constructed on Capon Street in Strasburg (or nearby) by the B&O to serve the movement of agricultural goods, lumber, stone and other freight from the Shenandoah Valley to broader markets. Though the exact original construction records for the station building are scarce, the “1870” date marks this era of rail-expansion in the Valley and the B&O’s growing freight network.
Capon Street Freight Station
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
As a freight station, the Capon Street facility functioned as a hub for loading, unloading and sorting goods transported by rail. It connected local producers and businesses to the broader B&O system, enabling the Valley’s agricultural and industrial products to reach eastern markets. The station would have featured a freight house, siding tracks, loading platforms and perhaps agent offices. It played a role in the daily economic life of Strasburg, facilitating commerce and linkages that contributed to the town’s growth.
Present & Preservation Opportunity
The Capon Street Freight Station remains one of Strasburg’s treasured historic landmarks. Situated along present-day Route 55, the station occupies the southern corner of the property now designated for the planned data center. Fortunately, the project’s developers have expressed interest in exploring ways to preserve this important piece of Strasburg’s railroad heritage for future generations.
Preservation options include preserving the existing building in tact or constructing a new building incorporating historic elements from the original. Whichever option is chosen, the new station can become a community gathering space — hosting exhibits, local events, and serving as the terminus for a heritage rail initiative.
Your Help Is Needed
The historic Capon Street Freight Station stands at a crossroads between preservation and loss. As one of Strasburg’s few remaining 19th-century railroad landmarks, it represents more than brick and timber—it tells the story of the town’s hard-working spirit and its vital role in the Shenandoah Valley’s rail heritage. Community voices matter now more than ever. We invite residents, history enthusiasts, and friends of Strasburg to sign our petition urging local leaders and developers to preserve and restore this important piece of history. With your signature, you join a growing movement to protect the station, celebrate our shared past, and ensure that future generations can experience this proud symbol of Strasburg’s railroad legacy.