Jefferson in Marion County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Jay Gould Railroad Car

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014

1. Jay Gould Railroad Car Marker

Inscription. Built in 1888 by the American Car & Foundry Company of St. Charles, Missouri, this was the private railway car of Jay Gould (1836-1892). A native of New York, Gould was a noted financier and the owner of numerous railroad companies, including the Union Pacific, The Missouri Pacific, the International & Great Northern, and The Texas Pacific. This car, named the "Atalanta," remained in Gould family ownership until the 1930s.

Elaborately designed and elegantly furnished, the Atalanta features two observation rooms, four staterooms, two baths, a butler's pantry, kitchen, dining room, and office. Interior materials include mahogany and curly maple woodwork, silver bathroom accessories, and crystal light fixtures.

Following Jay Gould's death in 1892, the car was used by his son, George Jay Gould (president of the Texas and Pacific Railroad), and his wife, actress Edith Kingston. The car later was brought to Texas from St. Louis and used as a family residence during the 1930s East Texas oil boom. Purchased in 1953 by the Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club, it was moved to this site in 1954. It remains a focal point in Jefferson's heritage tourism industry.

Erected 1995 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8043.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic

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lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 32° 45.35′ N, 94° 20.722′ W. Marker is in Jefferson, Texas, in Marion County. Marker is on West Austin Street, 0.1 miles west of South Vale Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 West Austin Street, Jefferson TX 75657, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jefferson C.S.A. (here, next to this marker); Excelsior House (a few steps from this marker); Old Livery Stable (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain William Perry (within shouting distance of this marker); Kahn Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Vernon Dalhart (within shouting distance of this marker); Brown-Bender House (within shouting distance of this marker); Brown Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jefferson.

Also see . . .
1. Atalanta, Jay Gould's Private Railroad Car.
Jason "Jay" Gould (May 27, 1836 – December 2, 1892) was a leading American railroad developer and speculator. His special train car "The Atalanta" is on display in Jefferson on Austin Street. The private parlor car has a luxurious interior with four staterooms, lounge, dining room, kitchen, butler's pantry and bathroom. He named the train

Jay Gould Railroad Car Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014

2. Jay Gould Railroad Car Marker (wide view)

car after the Goddess of Speed. It is ironic the train car ended up in Jefferson, because the town rejected Gould's bid to pass his railroad through the town. After his rejection, he wrote in the register of the Excelsior Hotel "The end of Jefferson" and now the trophy car is within a stone's throw of the hotel. (Submitted on December 5, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Jay Gould: The Famous, Notorious Tycoon.
Perhaps more than any other, Jay Gould defined why the general public at the time so despised railroad tycoons as he usually attempted almost every scheme in the book to achieve a profit. For instance, at one point he tried to corner the gold market and later only defeated the powerful Cornelius Vanderbilt for control of the Erie Railroad by bribing the New York state legislature. However, for all of Gould's flaws he actually was quite successful at operating railroads when he wasn't attempting to "steal" money. (Submitted on December 5, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Jay Gould Railroad Car (<i>located in small city park</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014

3. Jay Gould Railroad Car (located in small city park)

Jay Gould Railroad Car Texas Historical Medallion image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014

4. Jay Gould Railroad Car Texas Historical Medallion

This site
was generously
donated to the

Jessie Allen Wise
Garden Club

by the
Eldridge Family
in 1954.

Jay Gould Railroad Car image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014

5. Jay Gould Railroad Car

Jay Gould Railroad Car (<i>side view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014

6. Jay Gould Railroad Car (side view)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 650 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 3, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 5, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.