History of The Cotton Belt Depot and Chamber of Commerce

In 1883, announcement was made of the completion of the Cotton Belt Route from Cairo, Illinois to Gatesville, Texas--"End of the Line" By 1910, When the present depot was built, the route had been extended from Gatesville, Texas to St. Louis , Missouri. 

In its earlier days, the depot was the hub of commerce for Gatesville and Coryell County as part of the railroad's Cotton Belt Route. By 1972,  however,   the fading need for a railroad resulted in the closing of the depot. 

Ten years later, interested residents and businesses became involved in a town project to restore the building and to make it the offices for the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce. By the time the depot restoration was completed in December, 1983, approximately 500 individuals and many businesses had contributed time, money or materials.

The restoration of this classic depot has been rewarding to the entire community and to many others who have personal memories of its early years in the town's history. 

It is our desire that this buckle, as well as the restored structure, "Will serve,...as a reminder of our link to the past." 

                                                 -Donald & Jo Cox 1986

More history of the Cotton Belt R.R Depot can be found under the history tab.