Page 77 - MOST RECENT

The "old depot", built in the 1870's after the coming of the railroad in
1873, is still a sturdy building now housing fertilizer for the Agrico com-
pany. The old fireplaces and station agent's desk are some of the mute
reminders of the past glories of the railroad era.
Dr. William Thomas Walker, B.A. degree from Elon College. M.D.
degree from Medical College of Virginia. Post graduate work at Duke
Medical School. Has Board Specialty in Family Practice. Began practice
in Kernersville in 1950. Wife, Clementine Chrisco Walker; Sons, Bill ,
Edwin, George and John.

In 1873 there occurred an event which was literally
as well as figuratively earth shaking. This was the build-
ing of the railroad and the running of the first train in
1873. Local citizens, mostly of the Kerner family, made
great sacrifices to promote this project. $10,000 was
subscribed locally and $40,000 from the county. Four
miles of roadbed were graded by local citizens, using
hard labor methods. For this they were paid in railroad
stock which later proved to be worthless. They had the
satisfaction, however, of knowing that they had made a
great contribution to the progress and welfare of their Carl R. Kerner in the depot. He was Southern Railway agent
for over 40 years.
home community.

George Marine and
Arch Perdue discuss town
affairs in front of the
"new" depot.

Miss White's first grade prepared to take a never-to-be-forgotten (and
probably never to be repeated) ride on a train a few years a~p. For a
whole generation of Kernersville citizens the " train to Winston I was the
principal means of communication with the outside world. There a_ze some
Dr. Donald C. Griffin, dentist, is located at 101½ South Main Street,
Kernersville. He graduated from Reidsville High School, then from North of them who wish this were still true!
Carolina State College in 1952 with a degree in civil engineering. H e
was in service overseas for two years. H e was employed by Trans-
continental Pipe Lines and the State of North Carolina for one year. In
1960, he completed the course in dentistry from the University of orth Citizens of a past generation remembered the piles
Carolina. Ruby McCuiston is his receptionist and Judy Clinard, his
assistant. of cord wood for the firing of the train, the well near
the passenger station, the tanks of water which the old
egro, Cal Kerner, was to keep filled. The railway
depot was built on the north side of the tracks and the
single building included office, ticket window, passenger
waiting room and freight warehouse. It was framed with
peg and mortice timber and the office and waiting room
were heated by huge brick fireplaces. It stands today
as a memorial to the honest workmanship of the builders.
While others managed the railway station for a
I few weeks or months, Richard P. Kerner, youngest son

of John Frederick Kerner, took charge as permanent
agent on December 1, 1873. He served as freight, pas-
73