The Owner
The founder, Michael
Spurling, has lived in New Virginia since 1996 with his wife Dawn and their
children. Michael has called New Virginia home all of his life, having been
raised two miles North of town. After graduating high school, Michael served
his country in the United States Navy. Once Michael was done serving his
country, he and his wife came home to build their home; the site of the
stockyards and the old railroad pond that was the source of water for the steam
engines that once served the town.
Michael is a member
of the Virginia Township Fire Rescue and is currently a Paramedic and Rescue
Lieutenant. Michael is the trustee of Grace Baptist Church located on Knotts
Street. Michael has been the chairman of the New Virginia Old Settlers
committee, an organization that plans and organizes New Virginia’s yearly celebration
which takes over New Virginia every second weekend of July. Old Settlers boasts
an attendance of between 10 to 20 thousand in three days. Michael and his wife
have been involved in many organizations including Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and
American Legion Post 281. Michael currently works as a paramedic for the Clarke
County Hospital. Michael also has operated a catering business from his home,
catering events in Clarke and Decatur counties. Michael has cooked for
countless fundraisers in and around New Virginia.
Michael’s dream has
always been to own and operate a restaurant in New Virginia. In July of 2012,
the opportunity came to make that dream a reality. Michael worked tirelessly to gain financing,
remodel and comply with government regulations in order to open The Depot
Restaurant and Catering on February 20, 2013.
The Theme
In 1881 and 1882, a
narrow gauge railroad was built from Des Moines to Carnesville, Missouri,
passing through New Virginia on the Northwest edge of town. This was converted
to Standard Gauge in 1896, and New Virginia became an important livestock
shipping point. Michael has always been fascinated
by the railroad. The rich railroad history of New Virginia, combined with
Michael’s interest in the railroad, made the theme and name for The Depot a
no-brainer.
The Location
The town of New
Virginia became well known in Iowa when our local druggist-farmer, the
Honorable William S. Beardsley, served 2 terms in the Iowa Senate and was
Governor of Iowa from 1948 until his death in November of 1954. He and Mrs.
Beardsley are buried in the local cemetery. The location of the Depot
Restaurant is actually in the former Beardsley Drug located at 411 West Street,
in downtown New Virginia.
