Passenger train Special coach car heading to Rock Island, Texas.
Colorado County’s rich history includes being home to one of the first railroads laid in Texas.
“The first railroad in Texas called the Buffalo Bayou Brazos and Colorado was built through Eagle Lake in 1859. It became part of the Southern Pacific Railroad system. In 1887 the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad arrived 1887. Their depot was located near the Eagle Lake Supermarket. In 1898, two local residents, William Dunovant and William T. Eldridge decided to build a railroad to their plantations south of Eagle Lake, and thus the Cane Belt Railroad was born and headquartered in Eagle Lake. In 1903, the Cane Belt was purchased by Santa Fe Railroad. The depot, which now houses an extensive collection of railroad memorabilia, came after the railroad service and was constructed in 1911.” (Excerpts from the Eagle Lake Museum brochure).