Beeville in Bee County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Railroad in Bee County

Photographed by James Hulse, August 29, 2021

1. The Railroad in Bee County Marker

Inscription. On June 14, 1886, the first San Antonio and Aransas Pass (SA&AP) train arrived in Beeville to a cheering crowd. The arrival marked the combined efforts of SA&AP president Uriah Lott; Beeville merchant, banker and cattleman Captain A.C. Jones; and rancher Frank Skidmore to route the railroad through Bee County. When Lott's proposed line from San Antonio to the Gulf at Corpus Christi was opposed by the nearby town of Goliad, Jones granted land and substantial funds, while Skidmore donated land and the Skidmore townsite. Many others followed their example.

Transformed from a village to a boom town, and surrounded by new farming towns, Beeville became a shipping point for cattle and cotton. In 1889, after the Southern Pacific completed a second line through here to Victoria and the Port of Galveston, Bee County became a rail center with connections far and wide for passenger and freight service. Passenger service peaked in 1918, and by 1930 the Beeville-Skidmore line averaged 18 trains daily. During World War II passenger service increased, but improved highway travel led to its end in 1952. The Southern Pacific depot was razed in 1958, and the last train left Bee County in 1994, but the booster spirit of the railroad era lives on.

Erected 1997 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker

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Number 7128.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is June 14, 1886.

Location. 28° 24.131′ N, 97° 45.032′ W. Marker is in Beeville, Texas, in Bee County. It is at the intersection of West Bowie Street and North Madison Avenue, on the right when traveling west on West Bowie Street. The marker is located at the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 314 West Bowie Street, Beeville TX 78102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Beeville Bee-Picayune (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Praeger Building (about 400 feet away); Commercial National Bank (about 500 feet away); First Brick Building on Square (about 600 feet away); NAS Chase Field (about 600 feet away); Douglas A4 Skyhawk (about 600 feet away); Beeville Post Office (about 600 feet away); Beeville Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beeville.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 29, 2021

2. The Railroad in Bee County Marker

The view of the Railroad in Bee County Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 29, 2021

3. The view of the Railroad in Bee County Marker from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 758 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 3, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.