Sayre in Beckham County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
Rock Island Depot
circa 1927
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 11, 2025
1. Rock Island Depot Marker
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Year 2000
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 35° 17.585′ N, 99° 38.35′ W. Marker is in Sayre, Oklahoma, in Beckham County. It can be reached from the intersection of North Broadway Street and East Poplar Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sayre OK 73662, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Oklahoma. It is also in the American South, specifically on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comancherνa, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Dust Bowl, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers
this page online
Regarding Rock Island Depot. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:
In March 1927, the newspaper formally announced the city of Sayre was finally going to get their new depot. Although Rock Island officials had informed the newspaper and other city officials of plans to build a new depot the previous fall, they had also requested that the news not be announced "as their plans were not then complete." According to the newspaper, another major factor in the railroad's not announcing their plans were the previous controversies over the location of the new depot.
It is probable that the railroad finally decided to construct anew depot for Sayre in 1927 because of the increased traffic along the line in the mid-1920s. The location of the 1901 depot, as Sayre residents had frequently complained, was awkwardly located for both residents and visitors. With traffic surging, the railroad needed to improve their accessibility to encourage continued travel along the railroad. Another reason for the railroad to improve their desirability as a means of travel at that particular time was the development of a significant competitor in Sayre U.S. Highway 66.Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 10, 20252. Rock Island Depot Marker
While the Sayre High School band played, the first train pulled into the Sayre Rock Island Depot at 9:45, Sunday morning, 15 January 1928. Despite bad weather which was "threatening all the while", approximately nine hundred people turned out for the opening event.
The depot was deeded to the city of Sayre in 1972. In about 1989, a local historical society was established which took over the depot. On 11 April 1992, the Shortgrass Country Museum formally opened in the building.
Also see . . . Savre Rock Island Depot (PDF). National Register nomination for the station. (Prepared by Cynthia Savage; via State Historic Preservation Office of Oklahoma) (Submitted on June 1, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 128 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 1, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
