On a street where you live
The doctor is in
By SHARON BAUMBAUGH

The above postcard is a picture the former Cumberland Valley Railroad Station in 1901. The renovated building, constructed by the railroad in 1900, was later remodeled into home and office by Dr. and Mrs. George Sowell.

In November 1900, the Greencastle Town Council was lauded for their action in passing an ordinance regulating the speed of trains through the borough. It was a wellknown fact that the old ordinance was constantly violated and trains ran at a higher speed than allowed by the new ordinance, hence, it was felt, there was a gain to the town by reducing the speed to 12 miles an hour. These tracks ran north/south in the middle of Carlisle Street.

That same month, the Cumberland Valley Railroad depot building on North Carlisle Street was offered at public sale on a Saturday. The bid went to $1,700 and the sale was adjourned. It was thought to be a very desirable location and should sell for more money. The depot was on the east side of the street, in the first block of North Carlisle. It had been decided to sell this property and construct a new, more modern facility in the third block, west side - at the street's intersection with West Madison Street.

The new station was put into use December 8, 1900. The first train to stop at the new site was No. 6, at 12:42 p.m., drawn by engine No. 31. The Junior Cornet Band was on hand to provide music for the opening, marching through the streets to the station and meeting each train that came in during that afternoon. The construction included two buildings: the main station containing the men's and women's waiting rooms, ticket office and retiring rooms, with vestibule in the rear leading to the portecochere (portico); the adjoining building was for baggage, express and smoking room.

The railroad station that was abandoned was to become the site of the town's second banking facility as the Citizens National Bank (now Susquehanna Bank) took over the property. The new bank would open in 1901 after stock had been sold and subscription books closed. The group took the preliminary steps to organize and in April of that year the last representatives of the bank purchased the old CVRR depot for $2,000. It was stated that the purchased building would require little alteration. By June the bank received from the Victor Manufacturing Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, a new, three-ton safe which was to be placed in the new banking room. The bank would open its doors to business Monday, July 1. Unfortunately the new counters and metal screens were delayed but a temporary counter was provided and business was conducted. The first day's deposits amounted to $12,000.

The new railroad building (on the opposite side of the street) remained in use until 1908 when the rail company moved from this spot to the South Jefferson Street location along the highline. Abandoned, the building was used for a time as school rooms, business space and then, in March 1923, Dr. George Sowell purchased the building and completed many renovations, making it a home and his office.

Prior to his move, Dr. Sowell had his office on Center Square, in what was then referred to as the Ziegler Building (now ELM Shoes). He purchased from the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, the old CV station and lot converting the building into this new, modern dwelling and business space. The changes to the former station were to be completed by fall of that year.

When the doctor moved from his former office space of three rooms on the first floor of the northeast corner building on the Square, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Goetz moved in, opening a public dining room, where meals would be served daily. That announcement was made in November 1923. During this time of work on the old building on the Square, carpenters found money in the brick walls. Seventeen pennies were found dating from 1819 to 1845 and a fifty cent piece dated 1818. (The elder Mr. Ziegler, it seems, did not find a way to take it with him.)

By the winter of 1924, Carlisle Street property owners were complaining about the railroad company's dumping of snow along the sidewalks instead of hauling it away. These tracks remained in use as a through passage with some deliveries made to businesses along this main street of town for some years even after the construction of the highline one block to the west.

For a time, until the office portion of their new residence could be completed, Dr. Sowell rented space in the Fleming Building on North Carlisle Street. When, in September 1924, the doctor again moved his practice, C.L. Forsythe of South Washington Street and George H. Shatzer of West Madison Street, opened a modern electrical store in the vacated space. Both the men had experience in wiring and it was believed they would have great success in this new venture.

Dr. Sowell was finally at home, in his new office as the rooms were completed, including a waiting area for patients. The building remains a private residence.