Santa Fe Union Station
Galveston, Galveston County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The south half of this building was constructed in 1913 to serve as a central passenger station for Galveston's railway system and to house the general offices of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad's Gulf lines. In 1932 an 11-story tower and 8-story north wing were added, incorporating elements of the art deco style. In 1964 the Galveston office of the Santa Fe Railroad closed, and the company's last passenger train stopped here three years later. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark-1983
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built in 1913, this station gathered Galveston's rail passengers under one roof and housed the Gulf-lines offices of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. A 1932 expansion added an eleven-story tower and art deco flourishes, marking the height of the railroad's presence on the island. The last passenger train pulled away in 1967, closing the era of rail travel that had helped make Galveston a great port city.
Why it matters
The station embodies the rise and decline of American passenger rail, and the central role railroads played in the commercial life of Gulf Coast port cities.
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Themes & tags
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