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A century after the Gulf Texas & Western Railroad Depot opened as a hub for “tourism,” community leaders staged a grand-re-opening for it to once again become a focal point of the city of Jacksboro.
“People with vision knew that this depot needed to be preserved,” said GT&W Depot Restoration Committee Chairman Larry Shields. “Mindful, it took a lot of people making gifts large and small to make it happen.” The newly remodeled depot, now home to the Jacksboro Tourism and Visitor Center, Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce and Jacksboro Economic Development Corporation, represents the resilience that dwells within the hearts of the citizens of Jacksboro.
When it was verified that the depot had been preserved inside the former Hull Chevrolet building at the corner of S. Main and Hull streets, a group of citizens banded together to work diligently to raise funds to restore it to its once resplendent glory. Dozens of citizens, volunteers and community leaders were on hand Friday to see first-hand the fruits of their labors at the official grand re-opening. Shields had a long list of people to thank for reviving the depot. Among them were members of the restoration committee: Dennis Bennett, Fred Calhoun, Gwen Fitzgerald, Ronald Fitzgerald, Margaret Gregory, Regina Holland, Tom Marley, David Moore, Chritine Pruit, Debbie Reaves, Scott Spiller and Brenda Tarpley. He added that other people worked just as diligently behind the scenes, pushing the project forward, including Chamber Office Manager Kevin Kelly, JEDC Executive Director Lynda Pack, Phyllis Elenburg for her decorating skills and Jacksboro Newspapers Editor Kim Gibby and staff for getting the word out.
Shields also recognized several community leaders on hand for the event: Wes McCurry, president of the Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; Bryan Bumpas, president, Jacksboro Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors; Mayor Tom Sessions, members of the council and City Manager Shawna Dowell; former Mayor Jerry Craft; former City Manager Joseph Portugal; and members of the Jack County Museum Board of Directors.
Also on the list of people to be thanked were the family of the late John R. Williams for his request to raise the flagpole and the Ray family for their donation of a pick used in laying the rails to the depot. “People of vision and foresight like the late Jack Taylor, who was instrumental in donating this property for restoration, and Mr. Judson and Mrs. Elizabeth Shawver Cramer, who made the original $72,000 donation to jump-start the project” were also recognized. In the summer of 2004, the Community Advancement Foundation began a campaign to enlist support for the future Jacksboro Tourism and Visitor Center. In February 2006, the restoration committee, with the support of 154 charter supporters, moved forward to preserve the rich heritage and history of the city with the project. “This committee worked diligently to raise funds to restore this icon,” Shields said. “… As time went on, it became difficult to raise additional funds and difficult for the volunteers to negotiate, coordinate and schedule contractors to do the work necessary to complete the project as funds were received. The project kicked into high gear in 2009 when Buford Thompson Co. and Jacksboro Economic Development Corporation came on board. BTC donated time to coordinate the restoration and handle contractors, while the JEDC contributed vital funding to see the depot completed. “With the work of many people, the community spirit of leaders and workers, and with the vision of a brighter future for Jacksboro, this building has been completed, and we celebrate today the success for our city and our area,” Shields said. “As our tourism and industry, as well as our quality of life, improves, our friends and neighbors will be content, more positive and more excited about the future of our city. “As we work together, the future can be bright – let no one work solely for themselves, but also for the good of others.” While there are still some minor additions to the depot, such landscaping, recognition plaque and rotating historical displays maintained by the Jack County Museum, the GT&W Depot has risen from the rubble to its former glory. “This will be the go-to place,” Shields said. “When someone asks, ‘How can I get involved in Jacksboro?’ send them to the depot.” |
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