Founded in 1977, the Citronelle Historic Preservation Society’s began in 1975 as an outgrowth of the Citronelle Bicentennial Commission of 1975/1976 to celebrate the bicentennial of the United States in 1976. From the beginning the membership of the Society has been committed to the preservation and restoration of some important buildings in Citronelle. The Society has moved and restored a two-room guest cottage, circa 1884, from the famous Hygeia Hotel. The furnishings in the Hygeia Cottage were purchased with funds provided by a bequest from the Estate of Mrs. Kate Seely. After several years of negotiating with the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad the Society was able to move the depot from its original location between Main and Center Street at State Street to its present location on the East side of Center Street at Irwin Street (Cemetery Road) in 1983. The Citronelle Depot, completed in 1903, was an integral part of the development of Citronelle as a resort and commercial center. Much of the original building remains. Our intent is to preserve the original to the fullest extent possible; duplicating only where necessary and installing contemporary work where conditions warrant. Except for the turret, the restoration of the depot is completed. The Citronelle Depot Museum has become an integral part of our community and a landmark to the preservation movement in the State of Alabama. The Depot and the Hygeia Cottage are now listed on the Alabama Register of Historic Places and both have been awarded the Shield and Banner Recognition by the Mobile Historical Commission. When restoration is complete we hope to achieve a listing on the National Register of Historical Places.
