College Station in Brazos County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

College Station Railroad Depots

Photographed by R. C., December 26, 2023

1. College Station Railroad Depots Marker - New location

Inscription. In 1871 Texas Governor Edmund Davis appointed three Commissioners to select a site for the newly established Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (Texas A&M College). The Commissioners chose this location in large part because of the existence of the Houston and Texas Central (H&TC) Railroad line which began in Southeast Texas and extended through this area to Bryan (5 mi. north).

Although no railroad depot existed here at the time of Texas A&M's formal opening in 1876, the H&TC Railroad made regular stops here for incoming and outgoing college students and faculty. H&TC Railroad conductor announcements referring to this stop as "College Station" gave rise to the name of the surrounding community.

The H&TC Railroad constructed a depot at this site in 1883 which it replaced with a new depot around 1900. The H&TC depots and another built by the International & Great Northern (I&GN) Railroad just east of this site in 1900 were for many students who attended Texas A&M the first remembrance of their collegiate experience.

Railroad depots owned by the H&TC (later named Southern Pacific) and I&GN (later named Missouri

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Pacific) maintained passenger service at this location until 1959. In 1966 the last of the depot structures was razed.

Erected 1993 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8674.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 30° 36.754′ N, 96° 20.635′ W. Marker is in College Station, Texas, in Brazos County. It is on Lamar Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located on the Texas A&M University campus, between the Albritton Bell Tower and the Memorial Student Center and across from the Simpson Drill Field. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: College Station TX 77844, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At

College Station Railroad Depots Marker - Old location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, July 1, 2018

2. College Station Railroad Depots Marker - Old location

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Main Drill Field, Texas A&M University (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Aggies in World War I (approx. 0.2 miles away); Senator Matthew Gaines (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Twelfth Man (approx. 0.2 miles away); Silver Taps (approx. 0.2 miles away); James Earl Rudder (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hart Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); James Earl Rudder '32 (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in College Station.

College Station Railroad Depots Marker - Marker is in storage image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Ray Townsend, Jr.

3. College Station Railroad Depots Marker - Marker is in storage

College Station Railroad Depots Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. C., December 26, 2023

4. College Station Railroad Depots Marker

New front view of the marker

Photographed by Brian Anderson, July 1, 2018

5. College Station Railroad Depots Marker

Old view of the marker. Note that there is a building currently being constructed behind the marker so its surroundings are subject to change.

@thetalleyway via YouTube, circa January 6, 2026

6. College Station Railroad Depots Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,139 times since then and 182 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 28, 2023, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. 2. submitted on July 3, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 3. submitted on October 27, 2023, by Michael Ray Townsend, Jr. of College Station, Texas. 4. submitted on December 28, 2023, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. 5. submitted on July 3, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 6. submitted on January 29, 2026. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.