Killeen in Bell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Santa Fe Depot

Photographed by James Hulse, November 3, 2025

1. Santa Fe Depot Marker

Inscription. Founded in 1882 as a shipping point on the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railroad, Killeen was named for railroad official Frank P. Killeen. After the first depot was destroyed by fire, Santa Fe workers used standard plans to build this structure in 1913. The presence of the rail line was instrumental in the US Army's decision to build Camp Hood (later Fort Hood) during World War II. After the railroad took the depot out of active service, the city acquired it in 1982 and moved it to this site 350 feet west and 130 feet north of its original location.

Erected 1990 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4578.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.

Location. 31° 7.183′ N, 97° 43.729′ W. Marker is in Killeen, Texas, in Bell County. It is at the intersection of Santa Fe Plaza Drive and N 4th Street, on the left when traveling east on Santa Fe Plaza Drive. The marker is located on the front exterior wall of train depot. The building is now home to the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Santa Fe Plaza, Killeen TX 76541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central 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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: James H. "Screwdriver" Arnold (about

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400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First National Bank of Killeen (approx. 0.2 miles away); Killeen's First Brick School (approx. ¼ mile away); Avenue D School (approx. ¼ mile away); Oveta Culp Hobby and the Women's Army Corps (approx. ¼ mile away); Bethel Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); City of Killeen (approx. 0.8 miles away); Wednesday Review Club (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Killeen.

The entrance to the Santa Fe Depot and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, November 3, 2025

2. The entrance to the Santa Fe Depot and Marker

The view of the Santa Fe Depot from the parking lot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse

3. The view of the Santa Fe Depot from the parking lot

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 88 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 4, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.