Originally published in the BDHS newsletter, July 2010
By Keith Watson
Railroad Avenue is almost as old as Black Diamond. It is the hub of our historic district. Originally there were three sets of railroad tracks on the street. When the tracks were no longer needed they were removed, leaving the railroad ties which were then covered with dirt and then a cover of gravel as pavement.
Jump forward to 2010. A complete re-do of Railroad Avenue has happened within the last six months. The old pavement was removed with storm drains installed. Those railroad ties were uncovered and removed. The wood ties were cedar and in very good condition after all these years. (more…)