Railroad history erased in Melrose

MELROSE - One of Melrose's longest-standing buildings is no more. The Melrose train depot was demolished on Wednesday.

The building, constructed in 1907, was owned by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company, which informed the village last year of its intent to clear the structure.

"It was a year or two ago that they let us know they would be doing that, and we discussed it in several council meetings," Village Clerk Khira Whitehead said. "They told the village that they could buy the building for $1, but it had to be moved ... to a different location."

The dollar wasn't the issue, but Melrose officials were concerned the structure and foundation of the building made moving it prohibitively expensive.

James Townson, former president of the Melrose Chamber of Commerce, said repeated efforts were made to have the depot declared a historical site, but issues always came up with either the railroad or the Historic Preservation Division, including its private ownership status. Townson noted one issue from the HPD was that the building had limited access, and that necessary renovations would have included a paved road and a fence of at least 8 feet in height to keep people off the tracks.

Townson said Melrose formed a committee to look into the needed renovations, but ultimately could never get a solid response from the Historic Preservation Division.

Jeff Papas, a state historic preservation officer in the Department of Cultural Affairs Historic Preservation Division, said records do not show that Melrose pursued a historic listing for the depot. He did qualify that statement by noting the division's records aren't necessarily complete, and that Melrose efforts simply may not have been recorded.

The reason for demolition of the depot was provided by Amy Casas, director of corporate communications for BNSF.

"BNSF does risk assessments for all of our properties and structures. For this particular structure after years of being out of service and its condition, the decision was made that demolition was the safest recourse. We do our best to work with local communities that may be interested in those structures; however, safety will always be the most important consideration," she said.

Many area residents said they were sorry to hear the news.

• Steven Martin of Lubbock never lived in Melrose, but frequently visited grandparents Ray and Pearl Lofton.

"My mother grew up there, and I spent many times there with my grandparents," Martin said. "I could hear the train whistle at night as I was going to sleep, and remember wanting to go inside the station and have a look ever since I was very young. Finally, a few years back, I took pictures there on a couple of occasions, and am glad I did since I wouldn't have the chance now."

"I was disappointed when the water tower disappeared a few years back, and I'm upset now that Melrose has lost what, for all I know, may be their oldest remaining building. A town is not the same without its landmarks, the physical things that speak to its history."

Martin provided excerpts from Marci Riskin's book "The Train Stops Here: New Mexico's Railway Legacy," which noted that Brown Horn, later named Melrose, was orginally chosen in 1905 as the area's railroad boomtown. Water-quality concerns led railroad officials to select Clovis for its division point instead.

• Derrill Mitchell has been in Melrose for 60 years, since he started fourth grade.

"I was shocked we actually had a case of destroying history in our little town," Mitchell said.

• Britany Daniels has parents and extended family in Melrose.

"I remember being a little girl going to visit my grandma in Melrose and loved seeing it each time," Daniels said. "This could be seen from my grandma's house. When my brother worked for BNSF he would always tell my grandma he was coming through and she would look towards the depot for him and he would blow his horn a couple extra times for her."

n Former Melrose resident Steve Fulkrod watched the demolition on Facebook.

"I used to live across the street and work at Farmer's Co-op for two summers, so I saw the building a lot," Fulkrod said. "I was just home at Christmas and walked around it with my nephew and wife, who took some pictures of it. I have a stained glass copy of it in my doorway at home here in Maryland. Growing up, I heard many residents talk about riding the passenger train to Santa Fe for the state basketball tournament and the activity of the depot back in earlier times."

n Michelle Dansby's grandmother and father both worked at the grain elevator next to the depot.

"I have fond memories of the depot and trains coming and going," Dansby said. "I remember the passenger trains and longed to ride on one someday. It's one of those parts of history that you assume will always be there."

BNSF did briefly halt demolition, allowing Whitehead to remove the letters on the side of the building that spelled "Melrose." Those letters will hang in Melrose Village Hall.