(rshsdepot) Katy, TX

[jdent1_@_optonline.net]

From the Katy Times...

Depot finds new home

By Jeremy Moreno Times Staff Writer
After being situated near Katy City Park for more than two decades, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad Depot was transported to its natural habitat Thursday morning.

The depot, hoisted on wheels and pulled by a truck, traveled south on Ave D, east on Second Street, south on Ave A and now stands on city-owned land north of the railroad on First Street between Avenues A and B.

David Frishman, chairman of the Katy Heritage Society Depot Committee, said he was impressed with the cooperation used to complete the project.

"It is historic day; we saved it twice. We all pulled together to make this work, the city officials, utility companies, mayor, city administrator, and Barney our mover." Frishman said.

The depot was acquired in the late 1970s by Mayor Dan Cox and Katy residents Hal and Lynn Cardiff assisted the cause to keep the building in the city.

For $25, the city bought the depot from the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad company to prevent its destruction and removal from Katy. The city was forced to move the building from MKT's property, the original site just south of the railroad on Highway 90 and Ave A.

House mover Barney Pfeffer, behind the wheel in 1979 during the depot's first transition, pulled the reigns again to transfer the depot to its new site.

Pfeffer said there were no complications during the relocation and the depot's second trip was easier than the first. The depot is 20 feet wide and 70 feet long and about 25 feet high.

Mayor Doyle Callender initiated the effort to return the depot to the railroad and said the project will restore more of Katy's heritage.

"It's part of our roots and history. It's where it needs to be. It brings revitalization to downtown and hopefully tourists," Callender said.

In the late 1970s, Katy residents mounted a movement to keep the depot near the railroad after the city threatened to move it to sites away from the tracks.

"The Heritage Society appreciates the city of Katy. Mayor Doyle Callender has been the main instigator. They've been very helpful and communicable, said Marilyn Frishman, member of the KHS depot committee.

There are no concrete plans for the depot's use, but Frishman and the KHS Depot Committee are exploring alternatives. City officials have discussed using the depot as an informational center or a museum commemorating Katy's history as a rail hub.

According to Frishman, there is a freight room with wooden walls covered with charcoal drawings and handwritten notes that date back to the 1890s.

Frishman said the committee is discussing ways to preserve these relics for the viewing pleasure of public, but will act cautiously to avoid their ruin.

Mariyln Frishman said the depot's chimney was removed to facilitate its transfer through phone lines. She added that the city may have to break up the tracks situated near the Caboose before they transfer them.

The project cost the city $12,000 on city-owned land purchased for $102,000.

City officials said the MKT Caboose that had accompanied the Depot should be transported to the same site as early as next week.



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

------------------------------