Magnolia Depot
Magnolia, Montgomery County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Built in 1902 by the International and Great Northern Railroad, this depot served as a major shipping point for cotton, sweet potatoes and other produce, cattle and lumber from area farms and sawmills. The depot closed in 1963 and was auctioned off. Used as a barn for many years, it was recovered in 1993 and moved back to Magnolia, where it was restored within yards of its original site. It remains an excellent example of an early 20th century train depot. Notable features include elements of folk Victorian architecture such as pedimented doors and windows, roof brackets and clipped gable ends. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1999
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built in 1902 by the International and Great Northern Railroad, the Magnolia depot became a busy shipping point for cotton, sweet potatoes, cattle, and lumber from the surrounding farms and sawmills. After closing in 1963 it was auctioned off and served for years as a barn, until it was recovered in 1993 and moved back to Magnolia and restored within yards of its original site. With its pedimented doors, roof brackets, and clipped gable ends, it remains a fine example of early 20th-century folk Victorian depot architecture.
Why it matters
The depot recalls the age when railroads were the lifeline of rural Texas agriculture and the community effort to save a vanishing landmark.
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Themes & tags
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