High Point, NC (HPT)
Address
100 West High Avenue, High Point, NC 27260
Station Overview
The High Point Station was built in 1907 by the Southern Railway Company. The building is made of brick and stone and sits in the heart of downtown High Point. It was designed in the Richardson Romanesque style, featuring a rusticated ashlar base and a tiled hip roof. Over time, the station was modified to address growing automobile traffic. In the late 1930s a deep trench (up to 35 ft) was built so trains could pass below street level. The retaining walls included Moderne-style concrete details. A pedestrian walkway and staircase down to the tracks were also added.
By the 1970s the station had deteriorated: the restaurant tenant failed, the building and platform were in poor condition, and demolition was considered. Citizens of High Point campaigned to save and restore the station. A partnership between the city, the North Carolina Railroad, Norfolk Southern Railway and Amtrak Deals resulted in a “license to renovate” in 1998. The full restoration cost approximately $6.8 million. Major work included rebuilding the foundation, reinforcing roof and walls, replacing the floor, installing a passenger bridge and island platform, and adding an elevator to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirement. The station reopened on December 9, 2003 as a multi-modal transportation center.
High Point’s history is tied to rail and roads: the city sat at a high point on the 1856 North Carolina Railroad line between Charlotte and Goldsboro, and intersected the 1852 Great Western Plank Road. This location helped the city grow, bringing in raw materials such as cotton and lumber and enabling processed goods to move out. Originally incorporated in 1859, High Point’s earlier industries included tobacco, woodworking and textiles. By 1889 the first of many furniture factories opened—and today the city is known as the “Furniture and Hosiery Capital of the World.” About 60 % of all U.S. furniture production comes from within 200 miles of High Point. High Point also features the famous “World’s Largest Chest of Drawers” building (built 1926) which is now a four-story replica of an 18th-century chest of drawers and houses the High Point Jaycees.
Ownership & Service Details
| Component | Owner |
|---|---|
| Facility (station building) | City of High Point (NC) |
| Parking lot | City of High Point (NC) |
| Platform | City of High Point (NC) |
| Tracks | North Carolina Railroad |
Routes Served
- Carolinian (Amtrak)
- Piedmont (Amtrak)
- Crescent (Amtrak)
Usage Statistics (FY 2024)
- Annual ticket revenue: $1,582,308
- Annual station ridership: 42,401 passengers
Station Features & Amenities
Building & Waiting Room
- Elevator (for accessibility)
- Payphones
- Quik-Trak kiosks (ticketing)
- Restrooms
- Vending machines
- No WiFi service available
- Arrive at least 45 minutes prior to departure if checking baggage or needing assistance; at least 30 minutes if not.
Baggage Services
- No checked baggage service
- No baggage carts or storage available
- No bike boxes, no ski bags, no shipping boxes
Parking
- Same-day parking available; fees may apply
- Overnight parking available; fees may apply
Accessibility
- Payphones present
- Accessible platform and restrooms
- Accessible waiting room and water fountain
- Same-day and overnight accessible parking available; fees may apply
- No high-platform boarding; wheelchair lift is available
Hours
| Service | Hours |
|---|---|
| Waiting Room | Mon–Sun: 12:00 am–4:00 am; 7:00 am–12:30 pm; 3:30 pm–9:00 pm |
| Ticket Office | None |
| Passenger Assistance | None |
| Checked Baggage Service | None |
| Quik-Trak Kiosk | Same hours as waiting room |
| Lounge | None |
| Amtrak Express Shipping | None |
Historical & Community Significance
The station holds historical importance not just for rail travel but also for the growth of High Point. The city’s strategic location along both a plank road (1852) and a railroad (east-west) helped industries like furniture, textile and woodworking flourish.
The station restoration effort reflects local civic pride: citizens spearheaded fundraising (about $300,000) as their share of federal funds and partnered with multiple stakeholders to save the building instead of letting it be demolished.
On May 16, 2007 the city held an event marking the 100-year anniversary of the station’s original build. The event noted: “Today we celebrate the past which gives us great hope for the future, knowing that rail service will continue to be important for all of us.”
Why Visit / Use This Station
- The station is centrally located downtown, making it convenient for city access.
- It connects to important Amtrak routes (Carolinian, Piedmont, Crescent) serving the region.
- The building itself is historically interesting and has been restored with care, reflecting the city’s heritage.
- The station supports accessible travel and offers basic amenities for passengers despite some limitations (no WiFi, no checked baggage service).
Summary
The High Point Station (HPT) in North Carolina combines historical architecture, community initiative and modern rail service to offer both a connection to the past and a functional transportation asset for the region. Built in 1907, restored in the early 2000s, it remains a vital piece of High Point’s infrastructure and story.
