Temple in Bell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Santa Fe Depot
Welcome
Photographed by James Hulse
1. Santa Fe Depot Marker
Welcome to the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum at the historic Santa Fe Depot. Completed in 1911, the Santa Fe depot served the Santa Fe railroad until 1989. Passenger service has continued at this location through Amtrak.
The Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad founded Temple TX on June 29, 1881 and named it after their chief engineer Bernard Moore Temple. After the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railway bought the GC&SF, they named Temple as their southern division headquarters. A new depot was required to house the railroad offices and function as a passenger train depot.
Construction on the depot began in August 1909 and was completed January 29, 1911 at a cost of over $200,000. Chicago architect Jarvis Hunt combined Beaux Arts, Prairie style and Spanish revival elements to create a unique building for Temple. Redwood beams were shipped in from the Pacific Northwest, and building materials arrived from locations along the Santa Fe's routes. Restoration of the depot was completed in June 2000, and the depot became the home to the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum.
Captions:
Temple Depot, c. 1920
Passenger Trains at the Temple Depot, c. 1915
Telegraph Office in the Temple Depot, c. 1920
Topics.
this page online
Location. 31° 5.745′ N, 97° 20.747′ W. Marker is in Temple, Texas, in Bell County. It is on West Avenue B west of S 9th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 W Avenue B, Temple TX 76501, 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 walking distance of this marker: Bernard Moore Temple (within shouting distance of this marker); Steam Locomotive No. 3423 (within shouting distance of this marker); Temple Chamber of Commerce (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Santa Fe Railroad Workers (about 400 feet away); Temple's Harvey House (about 400 feet
Photographed by James Hulse, July 3, 2026
2. Santa Fe Depot Marker
Photographed by James Hulse, July 3, 2026
3. Santa Fe Depot Marker
The historic Temple train depot building.
Photographed by James Hulse, July 3, 2026
4. Santa Fe Depot Marker
The view of the Temple Station sign with active trains in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 4, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
