Roaring Springs Depot
Roaring Springs, Motley County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Under the leadership of Samuel Lazarus (1855-1926), the Quanah, Acme & Pacific Railroad contributed much to Motley County's economic development. One of the townsites along the line, Roaring Springs was platted in 1912, one year before the tracks reached this point. This brick mission revival style depot was completed within a year, and handled passenger and freight traffic until 1971. Roaring Springs' oldest structure, it was purchased by the city in 1972. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark-1977
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When the Quanah, Acme & Pacific Railroad pushed across Motley County in the early 1910s, it created towns along its route, and Roaring Springs was platted in 1912 in anticipation of the tracks. This brick mission-revival depot was completed within a year and handled passengers and freight into 1971. Now the town's oldest building, it was bought by the city in 1972 and recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
Why it matters
Railroad depots were the lifeblood of West Texas farm towns, and a surviving one marks how the rails literally drew the map of rural settlement and commerce.
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Related people
- · Samuel Lazarus
Themes & tags
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