Carthage Junction Depot has been a Smith County landmark since the late 1800's, moving passengers and carrying freight and mail along the Tennessee Central Railroad. The depot also served as the departure point for the county's World War I and World War II veterans as they left for training and later returned after the war. After passenger traffic ended, the depot stood vacant for many years and later faced demolition. The building was purchased and moved to Gordonsville in the 1970's, and after local businesses vacated it there, it again faced demolition. KFC/Taco Bell donated the historic building to Smith County, and Smith County donated property in South Carthage to protect it. The original structure is intended for use as an internet cafe, train and history museum, and local arts gallery, while an additional building behind it, designed to replicate the South Carthage Depot, is planned to include kitchen space, restrooms, a hoped-for local cafe, more restrooms, and kayak rental space. TWRA is working with Smith County to build river access for kayaks behind the depot, and long-range plans include extending the rails-to-trails route to Bon L Aluminum.