In the golden age of railroads, passenger stations once dotted the nation serving both railroad and community. With the advent of interstates in the 1940's much of the passenger traffic dwindled in the next two decades. By 1970 passenger rail was no longer profitable for railroads and many dropped routes as fast as the ICC would grant it. Unfortunately, many of the stations that helped build communities throughout the U.S. were no longer needed and they were torn down or left to decay. However, some agencies were retained for other railroad use, purchased by private individuals, or donated to the communities.