By Kent Huffman
Virtually everyone in Wood County, Texas—and thousands of visitors to this part of East Texas—have admired the historic railroad depot in Mineola. But the passage of time took its toll on this beautiful building and treasured landmark. So, in 2005, construction began on the remodeling of the facility to ensure that it would continue to adorn Mineola’s thriving downtown area.
How the Restoration Began
From 1974 until 1996, the Amtrak Texas Eagle and its predecessor trains passed through Mineola—a community of about 5,000 residents—without stopping. However, Mineola community leaders convinced Amtrak to make their quaint city a frequent stop, based on creative local marketing and a promise to renovate the train station. The renovation successfully recaptured the depot’s original 1906 appearance, which had been destroyed during a 1951 modernization project. In an effort to streamline the building, the railroad had replaced the hipped roof with a flat version and stripped away much of the depot’s decorative detail.
The 2005 remodeling project included restoration of the building’s exterior to its original design. The upper portions of the walls were painted a bright beige, contrasting nicely with the green trim around the windows and doors. Large metal brackets support a canopy that wraps around the entire structure. Other improvements to the site include new signage, parking, fencing, landscaping, and bicycle racks. The depot now features a Museum of Railroad Memorabilia, as well as a restored caboose on the grounds.
Off to the Races
The restoration of the Mineola depot is fitting for a city that owes its very existence to the railroad. Mineola was born when railroad companies began building lines through East Texas. Two railroads—the Texas & Pacific (T&P) and the International & Great Northern (I&GN)—raced to see which could get to Mineola first. It was very close, but the I&GN reached Mineola 15 minutes earlier! Both railroads eventually became part of Union Pacific. According to some, the town was named by an I&GN railroad official who laid out the town site and by combining a friend’s name—Minnie Patten—with that of his daughter—Ola.
The city used grants from the Texas Department of Transportation ($550,000), Mineola Development, Inc. ($195,820), and the Meredith Foundation ($46,000 for a railroad museum), and it raised additional funds ($13,000) to support the project.
Industry Accolades for the Remodeled Depot
The multi-modal depot is now known as the Mineola Transportation Plaza and won the “Best Building Restoration” award from the Texas Downtown Association in 2006. The city leases the property from the Union Pacific Railroad. In 2013, Mineola’s downtown core, which includes the depot, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Amtrak provides a “Quik-Trak” machine at this facility, but it does not provide baggage services. An attendant is in the depot to help with ticket purchases and information. Mineola is served by two daily trains: east bound arrives around 9:30 a.m., and west bound stops about 5:00 p.m.
Mineola’s Growth Helped Spur Hotel Construction
Mineola is in the heart of East Texas timber country, making timber readily available for railroad tie-making and lumber. The construction of a T&P railroad shop and the discovery of oil in Wood County in the 1940s caused growth as well. Two railroad hotels, the Beckham Hotel (to the north) and the Carleton Bay Hotel (in the south) served train crews on layovers between trips. The Beckham has recently undergone a restoration and is open for business as a boutique hotel and bar, along with an adjacent art gallery, wine tasting room, coffee and sweets shop, and hair salon.
Mineola is home to many bed-and-breakfasts and antique stores. Also, events and festivals take place year-round. For example, two of the largest annual events are Fiesta de Mayo in May and the Iron Horse Festival & Car Show in September.
The Lake Country Playhouse & Historic Select Theater in Mineola is also a favorite attraction. The 100-year-old playhouse is the last remaining, continuously operating movie house in Texas and plays an active role in the community.
A Little Help from Some Friends
Willie Brown, the eventual Speaker of the California Assembly and Mayor of San Francisco, was born and raised in Mineola before leaving after high school graduation. He was another of the advocates for the Amtrak stop in Mineola and rode the first Amtrak Texas Eagle to stop in Mineola in 1996.
Also, Martha Ann Moreland, the current host and caretaker for the train depot, has been a friend of Amtrak and the City of Mineola for the past 17 years. At 92 years old, she works seven days a week, with two shifts each day. “I didn’t think I’d reach 92, let alone work!” Martha Ann said with a grin. The depot is located at Transportation Plaza, 115 Front Street, Mineola, TX 75773. You can also visit the website here.