Railroad changes business climate
Railroad changes business climate
Written by compiled by Jim Dawson Sunday, 07 May 2006
The most significant event in Round Rock’s history was the coming of the railroad in 1876. This event precipitated the relocation of the town’s central business district and changed Round Rock forever.
The railroad responsible for this occurrence was the International and Great Northern Railroad. The I&GN was incorporated in 1870, with the intention of constructing a rail line across the state from the northeast to the southwest.
By 1876, the rails of the I&GN had reached a point near the existing town of Round Rock, but to the southeast of Old Town and Brushy Creek. The railroad purchased 150 acres of land for $3,000 from Washington Anderson, retaining 25 acres for right-of-way and subdividing the remaining 125 acres, thus creating the new town of Round Rock.
Soon a tent city appeared alongside the newly constructed railway, as businesses relocated from Old Town and other areas. Within a year after the coming of the railroad, the town had a dozen businesses and professional offices, several hotels, a new broom factory, a lime plant and two short-lived newspapers.
Georgetown civic leaders, desiring to tap into the benefits that came with the railroads, and hoping to avoid being surpassed economically by Round Rock, decided to fund the construction of a rail line connecting their city to the main line south of Round Rock, thus the Georgetown Railroad began operations in December 1878.
The “J.J. Dimmitt,” named after one of the railroad’s owners, was a coal-burning locomotive. The train originally had no way to turn around once it reached Georgetown, forcing it to make the return trip into Round Rock backwards. The “J.J. Dimmitt” was outfitted with cow-catchers and headlamps at both ends for efficient maneuvering. The fare from Round Rock to Georgetown was 50 cents.
The Georgetown Railroad was anything but successful. The railroad was never able to turn a profit and soon defaulted on its bonds. The line was purchased by the I&GN under foreclosure in August 1879.
At the same time, the I&GN constructed a turntable near the Georgetown depot, ending the spectacle of the train backing into Round Rock.
0 Comments 