The Depot Historic District, a four-block area located two blocks west of Raleigh's central business district, was the city's railroad and warehouse distribution hub from the 1850s to the 1950s. Because Raleigh's 1854 Central Depot has been demolished, the district retains historical and architectural character from the date of its earliest buildings, the 1880s, to ca 1952. Nash Square, at the district's northeast corner, one of only two original 1792 town squares that remain open as a park, is an urban oasis with a distinguished 1940 formal WPA landscape design. The urban character of the district has been shaped by the railroad. The 1891 former Grand Union Station (224 S Dawson St) faces Nash Square. The circa 1912 former Southern Railway Freight Depot (327 W Dravie St) and 1949 Southern Railway (Amtrak) Passenger Station stand on opposite sides of the tracks on the site of the Central Depot at the southwest corner of the district.

Dr Pepper Bottling Plant (416 S Dawson St) c 1935, 2-story, 3-bay-wide yellow brick Art Moderne style building with clustered brick pilasters flanking the south bay of the facade, and wide metal window bands. A low 1-story wing with two garage doors is recessed from the street on the north side. Built as Dr Pepper Plant and operated as such until 1972. - NRHP, 1 July 2002