Odessa Celebrates 125th Anniversary of the Laying of the Railroad TracksWith the invention of cars and diesel engines, the steam locomotive of the 19th century is virtually extinct. But several Odessa organizations are pausing to remember the train industry and all it has meant — and still means — for West Texas.
The Odessa Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Heritage of Odessa Foundation, the Ector County Historical Commission and Main Street Odessa have scheduled a commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the laying of tracks on the land that is now Odessa.
Read full story from the Odessa American Online.
Odessa Depot photo from Texas Old Photos
Hundreds Gather in Downtown Mineola for Museum Opening
A big museum opening in Mineola paid tribute the history of railroads in East Texas. Hundreds gathered downtown this morning for the opening of the old depot station, which is now Transportation Plaza, a railroad museum that doubles as a functional Amtrak stop. The Wood County Pilot's Association held an honorary fly-over.
The plaza is a six-year, $800,000 project. Displays and vintage photographs show how important the railroad was to the development of East Texas. The city hopes the nostalgia of the past will now blend with future Amtrak runs through Mineola.
Read full story from KLTV Channel 7 Tyler, Longview, JacksonvilleUnion Depot, Mineola 1908, photo from texasoldphotos.com
