PHILADELPHIA (September 24, 2026) – SEPTA today awarded a contract to the City of Philadelphia for the long-term lease of the former Shawmont Station along the Manayunk/Norristown Regional Rail Line.
Built in the 1820s, the former Shawmont Station is recognized as the oldest passenger railroad station in the country. The station building has been closed to the public since 1991, and service to the station stopped in 1996.
“This lease will save SEPTA nearly $1 million in improvement costs and eliminate our future maintenance obligations, while facilitating the preservation of a historic rail asset,” said SEPTA Board Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr.
Under this agreement, the City will pay SEPTA $1 per year for 20 years with one five-year renewal option. The City intends to sublease the property, located at 7700 Nixon Street, to the Historic Shawmont Station Society. The nonprofit organization plans to restore and operate the historic station building as a museum and community learning center.
The City will be responsible for all expenses associated with renovating the station building. SEPTA estimates the cost to restore the building for occupancy at approximately $972,000.
“We look forward to returning a long-vacant building to productive use, reducing the potential for vandalism, and enhancing a prominent property located near the entrance to the Schuylkill River Trail,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer.
Between 2021 and 2023, SEPTA completed repairs to the exterior of the Shawmont Station to stabilize the structure and help prevent further deterioration.
SEPTA worked closely with local elected officials, community organizations, and preservation advocates due to the station’s historical significance. The agreement will go before Philadelphia City Council for approval.
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