Amtrak's National

Train Day helps Rouses Point building in journey

to new life as museum

By LUCAS BLAISE

ROUSES POINT -- I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.

Rouses Point wants to have a little railway station that could.

Constructed by the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company in 1889, the decrepit rail station on Pratt Street has fallen into disrepair. Just six years ago, it was set to be destroyed by then-owners Canadian Pacific Rail Ltd.

The Village of Rouses Point later purchased it with plans to convert it into a museum, despite the extensive repairs needed.

"I think that villages are finally getting their act together and realizing that you need to save history, not tear it down," said Rouses Point-Champlain Historical Society member Dick Baker.

Because of the costs, though, not much has happened since then.

Two chimneys and bathrooms need to be rebuilt. Rotting woodwork, old flashing on the roof, brickwork, flooring, broken windows and insulation need to be replaced. An outside drainage problem needs to be repaired as well, as it is causing rainwater to flow through cracks into the cellar.

Man-made damage also needs to be addressed.

"You can see where they hit the wall with the baggage carts," Baker said, pointing to bricks on the exterior of the building that were imbedded deeper into the wall.

These more expensive tasks aren't going anywhere until the Historical Society's primary goal is addressed.

"You need to fix the roof. Without a roof, you haven't got anything," Baker said.