The Move

The Lee Hall Train Station Foundation organized in 2000 to accept the challenge of moving and restoring the depot, in conjunction with the City of Newport News. Over a ten year period, approximately $1 million was raised from federal, state, city and private sources. The move cost $900,000.

In 2008 the city contracted the Phoenix Corporation to construct a new foundation, and engaged Expert House Movers, a firm experienced in difficult historic relocations. Several months prior to the move, the old foundation was excavated and set atop cribbing. Rotten and/or termite damaged joists were shored up so that I-beam supports and rollers could be placed underneath. The interior was braced and the chimneys were boxed to stabilize them. Next, the building was sliced at the 1918 waiting room. The structure was hydraulically raised with jacks and separated into two units.

On June 23, 2009, the oldest section was repositioned in preparation for the grade crossing. This involved pulling onto Warwick Boulevard, turning 180 degrees, then parking it in a holding area. The next day, the crossing signal arm was taken down, utility lines were dropped and the 1918 segment was towed over the tracks as CSX flagmen halted train traffic. The second section followed on June 25 to great fanfare by an enthusiastic crowd of observers. The last section was both towed and pushed into place.

The halves were rejoined with block work on their new foundation, 165’ west of the tracks. The present phase of work involves stabilization of the building while efforts proceed to secure funds for rehabilitation.