Abandoned brick mansion near Niota
photo by Wes Schultz
Old Niota farmhouse
photo by Wes Schultz
Barn and silo at Niota
photo by Wes Schultz
Dilapidated building by the tracks near Niota
photo by Wes Schultz
Depot by the main line
photo by Wes Schultz
Depot marker
photo by Wes Schultz
Caboose and depot
photo by Wes Schultz
Niota track marker
photo by Wes Schultz
Tennessee's oldest train depot is at Niota, Tn., along the old East Tennessee line that came down from Knoxville to Chattanooga.
Niota is along Highway 11 north of Athens and south of Sweetwater.
The brick Niota depot dates to 1854 and is the only remaining pre-Civil War train station on the East Tennessee route.
When it was built, the station was called Mouse Creek. It included a ticket booth, office and place for riders to sit, along with a large open freight section.
During the war, Federal forces knocked out bricks in the freight area in order for soldiers to fire at passing troops. Later in the war, units of the 2nd Ohio Heavy Artillery, Company C, and the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, Company C, used the depot.
It was preserved and now serves as city hall for Niota. The inside of the depot was sectioned off into offices and a meeting area.
South of Niota is an old abandoned brick mansion on a rise just above Highway 11. Nearby, a stately farmhouse is across from a handsome barn and silo. North of town, an interesting, dilapidated building can be seen by the track.