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Thurston, Fairfield County, Ohio
1920 Population 394
In the early Twentieth Century Thurston was a major junction point for the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad. The original Toledo - Corning mainline went through Thurston in a north – south direction. North of Thurston this was labelled the Eastern Branch. Veering toward the west, the T&OC Western Branch went to Columbus before turning north to Toledo. Thurston was also the west terminal for the Zanesville & Western Railroad. The passenger depot must have been busy with passengers changing trains at Thurston.
A Z&W train on the left meets a T&OC train on the right. Thurston's depot was larger than a small village would normally require, but for the many passengers transferring trains.
Photo from the Dan West (http://west2k.com/ohio.htm) Collection, circa 1900
Photo from the Dan West (http://west2k.com/ohio.htm) Collection, circa 1900
Photo from the David Oroszi Collection, circa 1910
At some point the depot was modified with a second floor addition possibly for a tower operator. The building to the right was a railroad hotel and restaurant.
Photo from the Dan West (http://west2k.com/ohio.htm) Collection, circa 1920
Photo from the Dan West (http://west2k.com/ohio.htm) Collection, circa 1920
Thurston in the 1960-70s
Our draftsman was unsure of the location of the depot in his 1968 map. It’s likely it was turned 90 degrees and located north of the old Z&W main rather than south of the old main as shown.
Drawing by James M. Cavanaugh, 1968
Drawing by James M. Cavanaugh, 1968
The Thurston interlocking tower which looks like it may have been built in two stages.
Photo from the David Oroszi Collection, September 1974
Photo from the David Oroszi Collection, September 1974
The camera is looking south with the interlocking tower to the right.
Photo by Bob McCord, from the John Fuller Collection, ca. 1970
Photo by Bob McCord, from the John Fuller Collection, ca. 1970
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