Galveston in Galveston County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Gulf, Colorado,& Santa Fe Railway Company
Photographed By Jim Evans, September 9, 2012
1. Gulf, Colorado,& Santa Fe Railway Company Marker
In 1874 Galveston County voters narrowly approved $500,000 in bonds to finance construction of a railroad line from the city of Galveston that would bypass Houston, its business rival, and reach across Texas and beyond to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Henry Rosenberg, president of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway Company (GCSF), broke ground at 37th and Mechanic Street on May 1, 1875. In 1879 the company completed a 50-mile line west to Richmond that included a 2¼ mile wooden bridge spanning the length of Galveston Bay.Prominent Galveston businessman George Sealy bought the GCSF Company at public auction on April 15, 1879. Sealy led efforts to construct a vital spur line to Houston, acquire East Texas rail interests to supply rail ties, install telegraph lines, and establish numerous towns along the main rail line, including Rosenberg, Sealy, Temple, Killeen, Goldthwaite, and Ballinger.
GCSF joined the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway (ATSF) in 1886 and by 1900 had added the popular Harvey House hotels and restaurants to its line. By introducing innovative radio communications in 1944 GCSF greatly expanded Galveston's
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Erected 1993 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7480.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1807.
Location. 29° 18.355′ N, 94° 47.894′ W. Marker is in Galveston, Texas, in Galveston County. Marker is at the intersection of Santa Fe Place and 26th Street, on the right when traveling west on Santa Fe Place. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Galveston TX 77550, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Santa Fe Union Station (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clarke & Courts Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mitchell Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nicholas J. Clayton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hutchings, Sealy & Co. Buildings (approx. 0.2 miles away); Powell Arch (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hutchings, Sealy & Co. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Leon & H. Blum Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galveston.
More about this marker. There are two markers at
Photographed By Jim Evans, September 9, 2012
2. Original Train Station of the Gulf, Colorado,& Santa Fe Railway Company. Now a Museum
Also see . . .
1. Railroad Museum. (Submitted on September 11, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.)
2. The Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway Company In The Handbook of Texas. (Submitted on September 12, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.)
Photographed By Jim Evans, September 9, 2012
3. Gulf, Colorado,& Santa Fe Railway Company Museum
The marker is near the building, hidden by the fountain.
Photographed By Jim Evans, September 9, 2012
4. Gulf, Colorado,& Santa Fe Railway Company
Photographed By Jim Evans, September 9, 2012
5. Gulf, Colorado,& Santa Fe Railway Company Wide View
Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 824 times since then and 194 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 11, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
