A Piece of Richmond’s Past Reborn

A ribbon-cutting for the restored, century-old Trainmaster’s Building in Point Richmond, which will serve as the Point Richmond Office of The Mechanics Bank, is taking place today, Monday.

The landmark, which was almost demolished before a group of local residents intervened, was originally a reading room for employees of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad (now there’s a name that rolls off the tongue!)

The Mechanics Bank has moved its Point Richmond Office into the extensively renovated Trainmasters Building,  ensuring the century-old building’s preservation and  guaranteeing a steady stream of community income for the nonprofit Point Richmond Gateway Foundation which holds the building title.

A coalition of local residents worked for more than 15 years to save the building from the wrecker’s ball. Through their efforts and with an investment of nearly $1 million from The Mechanics Bank to help pay for renovation, it now stands as a reminder of Richmond’s historic role as a center of commerce and industry. Wahoo! Go Richmond! Go preservationists! (Photos courtesy of Richmond Councilmember and preservationist Tom Butt.)