(rshsdepot) Brownwood, TX

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Links:
http://www.brownwoodchamber.org/images/pics/depot.jpg
http://www.brownwoodchamber.org/Depot/depot.htm  (watch changing pictures in
center)
http://atsf.railfan.net/depots/brownwood.html  (photos from 1974 & 1976)
http://www.ci.brownwood.tx.us/history/depottoday.htm  (slideshow)
http://www.ci.brownwood.tx.us/boards/bcifi/bcifi.htm  (information &
historic photo)

Reception honors restorers of Old Santa Fe Depot

By Candace Cooksey Fulton
Brownwood Bulletin

Remember that old riddle? "Railroad crossing, look out for cars, can you
spell that without any R's?"

Of course, as everybody knows, "t-h-a-t" doesn't have an R.

Thursday, the Brownwood Civic Improvement Foundation Board tried to spell
"thanks" without any R's. And might very nearly have succeeded. A reception
at the Brownwood Civic and Cultural Center - a.k.a. Old Santa Fe Depot -
honored the individuals and businesses "whose support and extraordinary
efforts made the restoration of the Old Santa Fe Depot a reality."

Community members strolled through the restored depot, seemingly designed
for parties such as Thursday's celebration. On the red-brick walls hung the
works of art of Brown County students participating in the third annual
Stars of Texas Art Show. And after a few minutes of mingling and visiting,
BCIF board members set up for a brief program.

"We come together today to recognize the efforts and roles that many have
played in the restoration and renovation of the Depot Civic and Cultural
Center," said Greg Dodds, president of the BCIF board.

Next on the agenda is the restoration of the Harvey House and beyond that is
the Santa Fe Depot Plaza, the Great State of Texas Transportation Complex
and the Lehnis Railroad Museum.

The history of the building is a rich one. Built in 1909, the depot and the
restaurant building next to it, the Harvey House (built in 1914), are
considered classic examples of prairie style architecture. In the
pre-automobile hey-day, both the buildings were a hub of activity in the
downtown district of Brownwood. But, Dodds said, in the brief history of the
buildings, as automobile travel improved, traffic at the depot declined.

In the late 1970s Santa Fe ceased its depot stops in Brownwood and the old
depot shut its doors. By the early 1990s, Dodds said, the depot building and
the two surrounding blocks had become a blighted downtown area.

"The pendulum had swung the other way," Dodds said, "from serving as one of
Brownwood's greatest assets to one of its largest liabilities."

The restoration and revitalization of the area began with the founding of
the non-profit BCIF, which met for the first time Jan. 22, 1991 - and chose
the depot as its first project. The depot project was completed in 1998. In
1999, the Chamber of Commerce moved into its current quarters in the
basement of the Harvey House and, as negotiated with the BCIF board, manages
the depot.

Thursday was a thank you to the many who contributed and were dedicated to
the restoration of the depot - a time to pause and reflect, but also a time
to look ahead, Dodds said. Major contributors were given a limited edition
commemorative print of the restored depot.

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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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