Mineola in Wood County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Mineola
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019
1. Mineola Marker
Inscription.
Mineola. . Since its establishment in 1873, the community of Mineola has been tied historically to the railroad and transportation industries. The Texas and Pacific Railroad planned to connect Longview and Dallas by rail, and began building west in 1872. Meanwhile, the Houston and Great Northern Railroad built northward from Troup. Several communities developed near anticipated depot sites, though they declined when the two railroads joined. The site was named Mineola; various stories recount the naming of the new settlement.
Additional rail lines soon connected to Mineola, which experienced impressive growth. The rail brought new residents, including a number of immigrant families, and made Mineola a shipping center for agricultural Wood County. The growth sparked the establishment of various institutions, including a newspaper, the Mineola Monitor; churches, beginning with St. Paul's Baptist Church in 1871; a city cemetery, founded in 1873; a school system started in 1875 and becoming public in 1881; and First National Bank, which organized in 1898. An 1888 fire destroyed 18 buildings downtown, but the community quickly recovered.
In the early 20th century, transportation continued to affect Mineola, as the federal government built U.S. Highway 80 through the town. In 1929, the Texas 7 Pacific terminal in Longview relocated to Mineola; many families resettled here, sparking population and commercial growth. The railroads continued to be vital to the community until they declined in the 1950s.
In 1996, Amtrak revived passenger service to Mineola, restoring the town's bond with rail. Today, Mineola continues to be a leading community in Wood County and east Texas. ,
Marker is property of the state of Texas
. . This historical marker was erected in 2008 by Texas Historical Commission. It is in Mineola in Wood County Texas
Since its establishment in 1873, the community of Mineola has been tied historically to the railroad and transportation industries. The Texas & Pacific Railroad planned to connect Longview and Dallas by rail, and began building west in 1872. Meanwhile, the Houston & Great Northern Railroad built northward from Troup. Several communities developed near anticipated depot sites, though they declined when the two railroads joined. The site was named Mineola; various stories recount the naming of the new settlement.
Additional rail lines soon connected to Mineola, which experienced impressive growth. The rail brought new residents, including a number of immigrant families, and made Mineola a shipping center for agricultural Wood County. The growth sparked the establishment of various institutions, including a newspaper, the Mineola Monitor; churches, beginning with St. Paul's Baptist Church in 1871; a city cemetery, founded in 1873; a school system started in 1875 and becoming public in 1881; and First National Bank, which organized in 1898. An 1888 fire destroyed 18 buildings downtown, but the community quickly recovered.
In the
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early 20th century, transportation continued to affect Mineola, as the federal government built U.S. Highway 80 through the town. In 1929, the Texas 7 Pacific terminal in Longview relocated to Mineola; many families resettled here, sparking population and commercial growth. The railroads continued to be vital to the community until they declined in the 1950s.
In 1996, Amtrak revived passenger service to Mineola, restoring the town's bond with rail. Today, Mineola continues to be a leading community in Wood County and east Texas.
Marker is property of the state of Texas
Erected 2008 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14536.)
Location. 32° 39.741′ N, 95° 29.349′ W. Marker is in Mineola, Texas, in Wood County. Marker is on Commerce Street east of South Johnson Street, on the right when traveling east. Along parking lot fence next to the RR tracks. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Commerce Street, Mineola TX 75773, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Railroads in Mineola (within shouting distance of this marker); Saloons in Mineola (within shouting distance of
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019
2. Mineola Marker along the RR track fence, just to right of black truck.
3. Marker near Mineola Train Depot and old caboose.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019
4. Mineola Sports Heritage
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019
5. Mineola Entertainment Heritage
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 259 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 5, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4, 5. submitted on September 6, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
Since its establishment in 1873, the community of Mineola has been tied historically to the railroad and transportation industries. The Texas & Pacific Railroad planned to connect Longview and Dallas by rail, and began building west in 1872. Meanwhile, the Houston & Great Northern Railroad built northward from Troup. Several communities developed near anticipated depot sites, though they declined when the two railroads joined. The site was named Mineola; various stories recount the naming of the new settlement. 
