Our Story
Cowan Railroad Museum, located in the old Cowan Depot, is a landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The museum features historic displays, relics and memorabilia, and a model railroad layout. The property also features a rare Porter steam locomotive, a historic flatcar and caboose, and an antique diesel-electric locomotive.
The outside grounds, known locally as the "railroad park", is a beautifully landscaped area where Cowan's past, present, and future are on display. Besides the depot and rail equipment, the park features a replica of the home of Major William Russell. A pioneer settler and mentor of the famous Davy Crockett, Major Russell was Franklin County's first Judge Magistrate. His humble log cabin home also served as Franklin County's first court house from 1807 until 1814.
Through the middle of the park is an active CSX mainline railroad with a steady flow of rail traffic throughout the day. Rail fans are especially fond of the "Pusher Units" - extra locomotives based in Cowan to help heavy freight trains travel safely over the steep mountain grade.
The museum features historic displays, relics and memorabilia, and a model railroad layout. The property also features a rare Porter steam locomotive, a historic flatcar and caboose, and an antique diesel-electric locomotive.
The outside grounds, known locally as the "railroad park", is a beautifully landscaped area where Cowan's past, present, and future are on display. Besides the depot and rail equipment, the park features a replica of the home of Major William Russell. A pioneer settler and mentor of the famous Davy Crockett, Major Russell was Franklin County's first Judge Magistrate. His humble log cabin home also served as Franklin County's first court house from 1807 until 1814.
Through the middle of the park is an active CSX mainline railroad with a steady flow of rail traffic throughout the day. Rail fans are especially fond of the "Pusher Units" - extra locomotives based in Cowan to help heavy freight trains travel safely over the steep mountain grade.
How it all came together
The historic Cowan Depot ceased operations as a passenger rail station in 1965 when local passenger train service was discontinued on the Nashville-Chattanooga route. The depot continued serving briefly as a local yard office for freight operations. When the yard office closed, the depot stood empty and unused.
In the early 1970's, civic leaders in Cowan learned that the depot was scheduled for demolition. Residents were alarmed at the possibility of losing an important town symbol; however, the crisis served as a catalyst to bring the town together. The result was a new organization, known as the Cowan Beautification Commission, charged with advancing the project to save the depot and reinvent the depot grounds.
Cowan Beautification Commission took ownership of the depot for the cost of one dollar ($1), and proceeded with a project transform the depot grounds into a park. A long period of negotiations with the L & N Railroad resulted in a new agreement that the Commission would relocate the depot from its original footprint to a safer distance on the opposite side of the track.
On September 21st, 1976, a hired company picked up the historic Cowan Depot and moved it across the track where it proudly stands today. Area residents created a museum operation inside the depot with donated relics and a team of of volunteer tour guides.
In 1979, the Cowan Beautification Commission re-organized as Cowan Railroad Museum, Inc.
In the early 1970's, civic leaders in Cowan learned that the depot was scheduled for demolition. Residents were alarmed at the possibility of losing an important town symbol; however, the crisis served as a catalyst to bring the town together. The result was a new organization, known as the Cowan Beautification Commission, charged with advancing the project to save the depot and reinvent the depot grounds.
Cowan Beautification Commission took ownership of the depot for the cost of one dollar ($1), and proceeded with a project transform the depot grounds into a park. A long period of negotiations with the L & N Railroad resulted in a new agreement that the Commission would relocate the depot from its original footprint to a safer distance on the opposite side of the track.
On September 21st, 1976, a hired company picked up the historic Cowan Depot and moved it across the track where it proudly stands today. Area residents created a museum operation inside the depot with donated relics and a team of of volunteer tour guides.
In 1979, the Cowan Beautification Commission re-organized as Cowan Railroad Museum, Inc.
Important safety reminders: the railroad through Cowan is an active freight mainline! Please keep a safe distance from the track! We discourage visitors from staging photography on the tracks. When crossing the tracks to and from the museum, please do so only at the signaled crossing on Cumberland Street (US Highway 41A).
The museum is open May through October, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 to 4 and Sunday from 1 to 4. Admission costs are $2/adult, $1/child, or $5/family. Current museum members and active military personnel are exempt from the admission fee.
Cowan Railroad Museum, Inc. is a private, incorporated organization operated by volunteers, overseen by an elected board of directors, and directly accountable to the membership at-large. Cowan Railroad Museum, Inc. is recognized by IRS as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Cowan Railroad Museum, Inc. is a private, incorporated organization operated by volunteers, overseen by an elected board of directors, and directly accountable to the membership at-large. Cowan Railroad Museum, Inc. is recognized by IRS as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
