Tyler in Smith County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Tyler Tap Railroad

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, February 21, 2026

1. Tyler Tap Railroad Marker

Inscription. To provide for shipment of locally-grown fruits, vegetables, and cotton to distant markets, a group of Tyler citizens proposed a railroad to connect the town with major rail lines nearby. The promoters included R.B. Hubbard, later governor of Texas; James P. Douglas, onetime state senator; W.S. Herndon, A.M. Ferguson, and J.H. Brown. In 1871 the state legislature accepted their proposal and chartered the Tyler Tap Railroad to join with the Texas & Pacific Railroad or the International & Great Northern Railroad within 40 miles of Tyler. Local organizers decided to link with the Texas & Pacific at Big Sandy. Actual construction was delayed until 1875, with the first train running Oct. 1, 1877. Funds for the tap line were to be secured by sale of stock, but when private financing failed to raise enough money, the legislature agreed to award state land for each mile of track completed.

Although organized and promoted by local citizens, the Tyler Tap Line soon attracted other investors. In 1879, under a new charter, it was renamed the Texas & St. Louis Railway, with headquarters in Tyler. It was reorganized again in 1891 as the St. Louis Southwestern Railway, commonly known as the Cotton Belt, with general offices still located here.

Erected 1975 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7764.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is October 1, 1877.

Location. 32° 21.283′ N, 95° 17.894′ W. Marker is in Tyler, Texas, in Smith County. It is on East Oakwood Street east of North Spring Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 E Oakwood St, Tyler TX 75702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the

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American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Camp Ford (approx. ¼ mile away); Yarbrough Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Goodman Home, 1857 (approx. ¼ mile away); Camp Fannin (approx. ¼ mile away); Col. Bryan Marsh (approx. ¼ mile away); Smith County as a 19th Century Legal Center (approx. ¼ mile away); Thomas R. Bonner (approx. ¼ mile away); Henry Miller Morgan (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tyler.

1904 Cotton Belt Depot at Tyler, Texas image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Randal B. Gilbert, December 62015

2. 1904 Cotton Belt Depot at Tyler, Texas

Photographed by Randal B. Gilbert, December 6, 2015

3. Tyler Tap Railroad Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. This page has been viewed 832 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 4, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on December 6, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.