Seadrift Depot’s Early Days Left to right: Nuna Coward, Needham Coward, Mattie “Jink” Coward, Unknown
More than 50 years have passed since the Seadrift Railroad Depot building was moved to Pine and Baltimore (Sgt. Rodney Taylor Ave.). On July 8, it was returned to its original location, 201 S. Main, only 100 feet from where it was originally built in the early 1900s.
Back in its heyday, the depot saw passengers arrive in Seadrift from places along the St. Louis, Brownsville, and Mexico Railway line and shipments of cotton and seafood sent to far-away destinations. It also welcomed passengers, and supplies of gravel, hay and fuel into Seadrift.
Mayor Elmer DeForest remembers when he was a child taking family members there to board the train for Houston. He was among those who witnessed the depot’s move in the 1950s, when it became a home for members of the Blevins family. In 1961, Hurricane Carla tore the gable roof from the building, and it was replaced with a hip roof. Changing the roof gave the building a different appearance, causing some to doubt that this is truly the original building, but Mayor DeForest and others who witnessed the event, assure that it is.
Moving the depot was the first step in an effort to preserve the history of Seadrift. As one of the few historical buildings left, the depot will be made into a museum, visitor center, and Chamber of Commerce office. It is hoped that Seadrift citizens will donate antiques, photos and other items that are a part of Seadrift history to be displayed in the museum.
The building renovations will be paid for with grants and hotel/motel funds (which cannot be used for anything but the promotion of Seadrift), and by donations from private citizens. Several citizens and businesses have already contributed. Included are: 16 hours of labor donated by Larry Kelley; $3,015 labor donated by Urban Surveying; $1,000 off moving charge by Fowler House Movers; $1,600 toward foundation and basic repairs donated by Pete Barthelme; and two 100-year-old doors and a 100-year-old fireplace mantle donated by Miss Lillian Stubbs.
It is hoped that many in Seadrift will be a part of this historic venture. Inquire at City Hall as to what you might do or how you might donate to this important project. The goal is to complete it by the December 2012 Seadrift Centennial.
Seadrift Mayor Elmer DeForest at the site of the proposed Seadrift museum/visitor center/Chamber office, following the July 8 move of the old depot. -Photo by Wesley Hunt
