Tribune staff

Once a bustling centerpiece of Ironton's downtown, the city's railroad depot is in disrepair.

Through years of neglect, it has become yet another vacant building withering away to the winds of time.

Fortunately, the building's fate is about to change. The city is poised to begin renovating the building in hopes of finding it a new purpose and use.

Unlike many such structures, the depot is filled with history, and we think preserving that history is vital to Ironton's future.

From the five U.S. presidents who have stopped there to the very history of the unique structure itself, the depot stands as a reminder of what Ironton once was. Conversely, the historic depot also provides potential and hope for what Ironton can be in the future.

With the great bulk of manufacturing jobs heading south, Ironton needs to focus on its history. While it is probably unrealistic to think a developing tourism base alone will replace the hundreds of manufacturing jobs lost, it can provide many jobs and help revive Ironton's downtown.

From the early days of pig iron development to the Underground Railroad to the amazing feats of World War I flying ace Col. William C. Lambert and all of the decades of history since, Lawrence County's story is amazing.

And, we think that story is enticing enough to bring people to downtown, if it is marketed correctly.

Wouldn't it be great if the historic depot could become a public repository for the area's history and become the jewel of downtown once again?

Whether as a new home for the Lawrence County Historical Museum, a new location for the area's genealogical history or some yet-to-be-determined function, the depot needs to be restored in order to protect its history and to save Ironton's downtown.

Any move to make the building a retail establishment should be carefully considered to ensure that doing so would not harm the historic integrity of the structure.