Help Us Bring Back The Music to Marshall NC

Rebuilding after Hurricane Helene : Mountain Music and more in the Heart of Marshall NC

In the picturesque town of Marshall, North Carolina, nestled along the banks of the French Broad River, stands a beloved community hub known as The Depot. When the passenger trains stopped almost thirty years ago Forrest Jarrett, a railroad man of vision, convinced the railroad and the town of Marshall to allow “the Depot” to come into being as a place for the community to gather and enjoy music and dancing together. Ever since, the Depot has been more than just a building; it was a place where friendships blossomed, families gathered, and memories were made. This historic structure, with its warm atmosphere and lively gatherings, served as a vibrant musical spot for residents and visitors alike.

A Gathering Place

Before Hurricane Helene tore through our community, The Depot was alive with laughter, conversation and music. Every week, the sound of live music echoed through its walls, drawing in locals and tourists (from over 25 countries, at last count) to enjoy the talents of musicians from near and far. With a bluegrass circle on Mondays, an acoustic and country circle on Thursdays, and then the chairs got pulled out and the dance floor full as two or three bands played every Friday. The Depot hosted musicians from Appalachia and from all over the world. It nurtured the cultural, creative and entrepreneurial spirit of our town.

Children played around the stage, dancers and cloggers filled the floor. There was a different band on stage every hour, new and experienced alike. There were cake walks and a 50/50 splits with patrons. The music was always free, and the doors were always open. As said by Pat Franklin, who has run the Depot along with Mr. Jarrett’s son, Owen, since the elder Jarret passed away, “we don’t care who you vote for, where you’re from, who you’re married to or how you feel about guns, you’re all welcome here.” This spot was a local cultural icon and had pickers who had been coming for generations. The Depot was a cornerstone of Marshall, a place that brought people together, a place that fostered connections and made our community feel like home. Pat and Owen will be using these funds to rebuild the interior of the Depot.

The Storm's Devastation

When Hurricane Helene struck, it left behind a trail of destruction that has shaken our small town to its core. The Depot, which had stood in Marshall from its earliest incarnation as a train depot for Norfolk Southern Railroad, was not spared. The building is gone, and the cherished memories contained within were taken by the river. The building that exemplified the heart of our community has been silenced, but whether we’re able to rebuild on the original site or need to carry on in an area barn or community center until a new permanent location can be found, the music will play on.

Why It Matters

The loss of The Depot is felt deeply across Marshall, and based on the messages of love and concern we’ve been receiving, this has affected people throughout the United States and beyond. It was a symbol of the musical spirit that runs through these mountains of Madison County and southern Appalachia, and rebuilding it means restoring not just a building, but the very essence of who we are as a town and as a region. We’re all doing what we can, but the fabric of our town has frayed, and we need your help to put it back together.

A Call to Action

As we come together to recover, we invite you to join us in this journey. Your generous contributions will help us rebuild The Depot, restoring a vital space that fosters connection, creativity, and support. Every dollar will go toward reconstructing this community landmark and replacing its necessary equipment and infrastructure, ensuring it can once again serve as a vibrant hub for generations to come. This funding will be distributed to Pat Franklin and Owen Jarrett to rebuild and replace the interior contents of the Depot. That long list of items includes sound equipment (such as a sound board, PA system and microphones), building costs for the stage and concession stand, to refit concessions with equipment and to replace furniture and signage.

Together, We Can Rebuild

Let’s honor the memories made at The Depot and the dreams that await us. By supporting our GoFundMe campaign, you are investing in the heart of Marshall, North Carolina the county seat of Madison County here on the French Broad River. Together, we can rebuild not just a building, but the hope and spirit of our community. Let’s bring back the music, the laughter, the love and the community that made The Depot a cherished place in our lives.

Join us in this vital mission. Together, we can rebuild #WNCstrong. Thank you for caring, for sharing our story, and for helping us turn our vision into reality.

 

This GoFundMe was started by Alexandra Webber of On Your Bike, an across the street business neighbor of the Depot. Our entire downtown was affected by Hurricane Helene in Marshall NC and it's critical to the cultural survival of this town that the Depot returns. All funds will be used to restore and make whole the contents of the Depot which were lost during the destruction of the building in a catastrophic flood