Mineola in Wood County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Railroads in Mineola

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019

1. Railroads in Mineola Marker

Inscription. This city's fortunes have been tied historically to railroads. Mineola was born in the summer of 1873, as the Houston and Great Northern (later International and Great Northern) and Texas and Pacific lines raced to a predetermined crossing point. The company arriving first would secure ownership of rail facilities, so construction crews worked day and night, with the I&GN building northwest from near Tyler and the T&P extending westward from Longview. The two lines neared this spot on the same day and the crews were within sight of each other that morning. Accounts differ on which railroad won the competition, with disagreement over the exact surveyed location and whether being first meant the first tracks or first train to arrive.

The City of Mineola incorporated in 1877 and its rail success continued as the Missouri, Kansas and Texas line extended to Greenville in 1881. This connected the growing trade center with major cities -- Dallas, Sherman, Shreveport and Houston -- in all directions. The railroads also brought new settlers to Mineola, and a new depot opened in 1905. The T&P moved its terminal here from Longview in 1929, bringing about 200 employees and making a significant economic impact on the city. Its presence sustained Mineola while other towns suffered through the Great Depression. In the following years, a new fire department, post office and schools were in operation. The city became a shipping center for agriculture, notably watermelons, sweet potatoes and cotton.

The T&P dedicated a new passenger depot in 1951, but rail connections to Greenville and Lindale were later abandoned. Passenger service, suspended in Mineola's centennial year of 1973, returned in 1996.

Erected 2007 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13936.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed

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in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 32° 39.723′ N, 95° 29.333′ W. Marker is in Mineola, Texas, in Wood County. It is at the intersection of East Front Street and South Pacific Street (U.S. 69), on the left when traveling east on East Front Street. At the Mineola Train Depot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 East Front Street, Mineola TX 75773, 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 walking distance of this marker: Mineola (within shouting distance of this marker); Saloons in Mineola (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); C. W. Raines (about 300 feet away); Site of the Coleman Family Drug Store and Clinic

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019

2. Railroads in Mineola Marker

(about 500 feet away); The Dixie Overland Highway - The Jim Hogg Highway (about 500 feet away); Mineola's Jewish Community (about 600 feet away); First National Bank Building (about 600 feet away); Site of Public Mineral Water Well (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mineola.

Mineola Train Platform image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019

3. Mineola Train Platform

Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 599 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 5, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.