"Lightly sweet, deliciously smooth - it's all that
and more! Harry's cheesecake is the best.
That's all there is to it."
                                                       --M. Forgey

More Than A Century of Change
 Olde Liberty Station is the last of several passenger stations built in the Bedford, Virginia area. The first station was established in about 1852, when the town was known as Liberty. Another station was built in 1872, east of the town bridge. It is said this station was as “spacious and handsome” as a prospering town deserved. The bridge was built in 1851-1852 out of locally quarried stone. The large arch at its base was not only artistic, but also allowed for passage of trains through it.
 
As in other small towns, Bedford’s railroad station was the hub of community life. Transportation of passengers, freight and mail from the railway’s inception, through World War II and the Industrial Revolution, meant that railroad stations were an important part of both the local and national economy.
 
In 1881 the Norfolk and Western Railroad emerged from a series of expansions and consolidations. Under its direction, Bedford’s station enjoyed and suffered the same consequences as the rest of the nation’s railways-economic booms and depressions, the effects of war, and finally, near-abandonment in the face of automobile and airplane travel. Through the 1920’s railroad activity flourished. In Bedford, numerous passenger, freight and mail stops required 24 hour-a-day service.
 
World War II saw the station’s participation in the transportation of troops, supplies and ammunition. The heroism of Bedford’s 116th Infantry has been honored with the creation of the National D Day Memorial. Those very men, who represented Bedford as well as the entire country, left for service from this station.
 
The present depot, built in 1905, was originally situated west of the bridge, across from Randolph Macon Academy. A picturesque Colonial Revival building, it featured many handsome architectural elements, many of which still exist today. The station was moved to its present site in 1907.
 
Passenger service was finally eliminated in Bedford in 1971. Since that time, the station has housed several different services. Olde Liberty Station is now a full-service, locally owned and operated restaurant. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. We are proud of our historic heritage, our community and our restaurant. Please join us as we continue to make history.
 
Harry and Marty Leist, Owners
Heather Williams, Assistant Manager
Chris Miller, Chef
Olde Liberty Station. All Rights Reserved.     Web Site Services by Service First Webmasters, Inc.
 
 
 
Phone:
(540) 587-9377
 
 
Restaurant Hours
Monday - Thursday
11am - 10pm
 
Friday
11am - 11pm
 
Saturday
noon - 11pm
 
Closed Sunday