“Queen of the Line”: The train depot that helped Canal Winchester grow ➡️ This depot was unlike any other stop on the Hocking Valley Railway. While other stations were plain and rectangular, Canal Winchester’s stood out. It was octagonal and ornate, with stained glass windows and unique decorations that made it one-of-a-kind along the line. For its beauty, the depot became known as “Queen of the Line”. It was built with care, as this was the community’s second depot. The original, constructed in 1869, was totally destroyed when a spark from a passing train landed on its roof. It didn’t take long, though – the new depot was occupied in just two months. The “ostentatious” design was chosen to celebrate the impact of the railroad on the growth and development of Canal Winchester. It operated passenger rail service until the depot ceased operations in the 1940s. Today, the depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as an events space on the campus of the c...