Rusk in Cherokee County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Texas State Railroad

Photographed by Brian Anderson, January 19, 2019

1. Texas State Railroad Marker

Inscription. In the late 1880s the Texas Prison System built a short rail line from the state penitentiary facility in north Rusk, southwestward to hardwood timber stands, where charcoal was made for use in firing the prison's iron ore smelting furnaces. The line served as the foundation of the Texas State Railroad, which was organized in 1894 in an effort to make the prison more self-sufficient by providing new markets for prison products. Two Texas governors, James Stephen Hogg and Thomas M. Campbell, both natives of Cherokee County, were instrumental in the railroad's development.

Built by prisoners and supervised by the state prison system, the line was completed in 1909 to Palestine (30 mi. W), where it connected with existing routes. Setbacks, including the closing of the furnaces and the prison unit, limited the railroad's success; however, under a board of managers appointed by the Legislature, the line was later leased to the Texas & New Orleans Railroad and the Texas & Southeastern Railroad. In 1972 control was transferred to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for development as a state park. It now symbolizes the

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significant role the railroad industry played in Texas history.

Erected 1982 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 6685.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.

Location. 31° 48.044′ N, 95° 11.635′ W. Marker is in Rusk, Texas, in Cherokee County. It is on Park Road 76, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located at the Texas State Railroad Rusk Depot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 535 Park Road 76, Rusk TX 75785, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

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 least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Little Bean's Cherokee Village (approx.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, January 19, 2019

2. Texas State Railroad Marker

2 miles away); Site of Rusk Public School No. 2 for African Americans (approx. 2.1 miles away); Site of Confederate Gun Factory (approx. 2.2 miles away); Rusk (approx. 2.3 miles away); Confederate Training Camp (approx. 2.4 miles away); Site of Sam Houston Speeches (approx. 2½ miles away); Old College Bell (approx. 2½ miles away); Site of the Union Hotel/Bracken House/Acme Hotel (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rusk.

Regarding Texas State Railroad. In 2007, due to budget concerns, the Texas Legislature passed a bill which allowed for the creation of an operating authority for the train with the power to lease the train to a private operator. As a result, the railroad was transferred from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to the Texas State Railroad Authority and is now privately operating as a scenic tourist line.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Texas State Railroad - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on January 22, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

2. Texas State Railroad Official Site.

Texas State Railroad Rusk Depot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, January 19, 2019

3. Texas State Railroad Rusk Depot

(Submitted on January 22, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 567 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 22, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.