The original station was built around the turn of the century. It helped make Clarkston a resort community during the first quarter of the twentieth century. It provided a stopping point for summer vacationers, who would then travel by horse-drawn carriages, and later motorized open-air mini-buses, to local hotels. The original station was destroyed by fire in May 1923.
A photo of the original depot at Clarkston, built in 1851. This depot burned down around 1890. A "witches hat" depot was then built to replace it, but it also burned down in 1923. The Grand Trunk Western depot at Clarkston, on the GTW's former Detroit & Milwaukee line to Muskegon. This depot was known as a "witch's hat" depot because of its roof design.
A third depot was built to replace it ceased operation in 1959.
The present station served train passengers until 1959. Clarkston Village Players purchased the Depot from Grand Trunk for $150. The Depot was first used for rehearsals and storage. The first show presented there was "Dirty Work at the Crossroads" in 1964. Because the melodrama was so well received by audiences, this type of play became a yearly occasion for about ten years.
In the nearly-50 years since that first show, CVP has undertaken an extensive building program, while still providing the area with three to five shows each year. The first major change came in 1978 when regular theater seats replaced wooden folding chairs. The renovation of the lobby area began in 1984 and was completed in 1986. Along with the lobby addition, the theater was continually upgraded with a complete heating and cooling system, carpeting, a lighting and sound room complete with new equipment, and a new stage curtain.
On show nights this theater is hopping! If you ever get a chance, it's pretty good local entertainment. You are looking for a small nutella container.