PRINCE, WV (SWVO) – Tucked along the New River in Fayette County, the Prince passenger station is more than just a quiet Amtrak stop—it’s a living tribute to the golden age of American rail travel and one of the most charming and unexpected pieces of railway art in the state.
Built in 1946 by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway (C&O), the current station replaced an older depot as part of a post-World War II modernization effort.
C&O was eager to refresh its image and better serve its growing number of passengers, especially those traveling aboard trains like the George Washington and the Sportsman—two premier lines of the time.
Unlike the traditional brick-and-wood depots scattered across Appalachia, the Prince station stands out with its sleek Art Moderne design.
The long, curved canopy, smooth concrete lines, and terrazzo floors reflect the era’s fascination with progress and motion.
Inside, the station is filled with mid-century character—but one feature captures more attention than any other: a large terrazzo mosaic of a kitten, right in the floor.
That kitten is Chessie, the beloved C&O Railway mascot who became a household name in the 1930s.
Chessie was introduced in 1933 thanks to Lionel Probert, assistant to C&O President J. J. Bernet.
While developing an ad campaign for the new passenger trains, Probert stumbled upon a painting of a sleeping kitten by Viennese artist Guido Gruenewald.
The image—of a small cat curled beneath a blanket with one eye half-open—was irresistible. Instead of the slogan “Sleep Like A Top,” Probert went with “Sleep Like A Kitten,” and Chessie was born.
The image became a nationwide sensation.
C&O’s ads featuring the snoozing kitten suggested that passengers could enjoy peaceful, luxurious rest aboard their trains.
Chessie’s popularity soared, making her one of the most recognizable and enduring corporate mascots in American history.
Today, the Prince station remains an active stop on Amtrak’s Cardinal route, which travels between New York City and Chicago.
Though the trains are fewer and the town is small, the station continues to serve as a quiet gateway to New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.
For those passing through, it’s worth stopping to admire the architecture—and of course, to see Chessie, still curled up in the floor, dreaming of train rides past.
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