Colorado City in Mitchell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Sites of Texas & Pacific Railway Depots
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 12, 2017
1. Sites of Texas & Pacific Railway Depots Marker
Inscription.
Sites of Texas and Pacific Railway Depots. . Rail service to Colorado City began on April 16, 1881, when a Texas and Pacific supply train arrived with materials for the construction of a freight and passenger depot in the town. Completed the following month at the foot of Oak Street, it was similar in style and size to A T and P Station in Fort Worth. Cattle pens were constructed later to the east of the station on land donated by Aaron W. Dunn, John Wesley Mooar, W.H. Snyder, and George W. Waddell. The railroad and stockyards established Colorado City as the major shipping center and supply station for the vast ranching region of West Texas and sections of Eastern New Mexico. , W.A. Crowder came here in 1885 as the agent for the T and P Railway. During his 35 years of service, local rail traffic flourished. Trains brought the necessary manufactured products for local ranches such as barbed wire and windmills. Goods shipped from here to Eastern markets included cattle, hides, salt, ice, wool, and buffalo bones. The 1881 depot was later destroyed by fire and replaced by a new freight station in 1896. Another depot, built at the foot of Walnut Street in 1907, was used by passenger trains until service to the city ended on March 22, 1967.
Rail service to Colorado City began on April 16, 1881, when a Texas & Pacific supply train arrived with materials for the construction of a freight and passenger depot in the town. Completed the following month at the foot of Oak Street, it was similar in style and size to A T & P Station in Fort Worth. Cattle pens were constructed later to the east of the station on land donated by Aaron W. Dunn, John Wesley Mooar, W.H. Snyder, and George W. Waddell. The railroad and stockyards established Colorado City as the major shipping center and supply station for the vast ranching region of West Texas and sections of Eastern New Mexico.
W.A. Crowder came here in 1885 as the agent for the T & P Railway. During his 35 years of service, local rail traffic flourished. Trains brought the necessary manufactured products for local ranches such as barbed wire and windmills. Goods shipped from here to Eastern markets included cattle, hides, salt, ice, wool, and buffalo bones. The 1881 depot was later destroyed by fire and replaced by a new freight station in 1896. Another depot, built at the foot of Walnut Street in 1907, was used by passenger trains until service to the city ended on March 22, 1967.
Erected 1981 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4943.)
Topics. This historical marker
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is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is April 16, 1881.
Location. 32° 23.256′ N, 100° 52.074′ W. Marker is in Colorado City, Texas, in Mitchell County. Marker is on West Main Street east of Oak Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Colorado City TX 79512, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2018, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 19, 2018, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.