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ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Some historic Rowan County buildings are being put to use in a new park.

The town of Landis is not only restoring some of their first structures, but moving them to new locations as well. The move is making room for a second railroad track planned for the area. Residents gathered Thursday to watch the final move take place.

"It was sort of thrilling," said Landis resident Fred Corriher.

People like Corriher will soon be able to visit the depot again once it is placed in its new home. The depot along with the town's first post office and its original two-cell jail were up rooted over the last couple weeks and moved.

"And they will become part of a passive park which be located downtown in the area we're standing now," said Landis Town Manager Douglas Linn.

The historic structures dating back more than 100 years will be restored and converted into small museums. The former hardware store already on the property will transform into a banquet hall.

"[It will be] a place to hold community meetings, a place to hold weddings, a place to hold family gatherings or a place just to come sit on a Sunday afternoon," said Linn.

Relocating the depot will also make room for a second track through Landis planned by the North Carolina railroad. The NCRR is reimbursing the town with $20,000 to help pay for the move. Linn said in about two years the park will be finished and residents will be in the depot again.

"It's been a fixture of the town every since the town was formed and it's hard to imagine the town without the depot," said Corriher.

The park will be named after the town's founders, Dr. Calvin Washington and Fanny Kluttz Corriher. The total cost for the park will come to about $1 million. The town is looking for private donations as well as applying for grants.