Port O’Connor Roundhouse

The old rail line that ran from Bloomington through Long Mott and Seadrift to Port O’Connor was originally a part of the St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexican Railway(SLB&M). This particular branch to Port O’Connor was called the Port O’Connor, Rio Grande & Northern section.

The Port O’Connor, Rio Grande & Northern section was built in 1909-1910. There were depots in Long Mott, Seadrift and Port O’Connor. Port O’Connor also had a roundhouse. Originally there was leg off this track in Seadrift that ran down to the bay front and out over the water on a wharf, but the 1919 storm put an end to that waterfront section.

Originally the line provided passenger service as well as freight shipping. It served the fishing, shrimping and oystering industries as well as the agricultural industries including livestock, grain and cotton. Regular passenger service was discontinued after the 1919 storm, but freight service continued on for many years to come.

In 1911 the St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexican Railway and all its branches, including the Port O’Connor, Rio Grande & Northern, all became a part of the Gulf Coast Lines. Then in 1925 it all became a part of the Missouri Pacific system, and remained that up until 1997, when it all became a part of the Union Pacific Railroad Co.

The section from Seadrift to Port O’Connor was discontinued in 1933, but the part from Bloomington to Seadrift continued to operate on up until as late as 1969-the year the section from Long Mott to Seadrift was abandoned.

In 1997, what was left of this line (from Bloomington to Long Mott) became a part of Union Pacific Railroad, and continues to serve industries along its route today(2016).

Seadrift Depot

After completing its goal of building and establishing a new library for the City of Seadrift, the organization of Friends of Seadrift Library has been officially dissolved as of February 28, 2018. Any monies remaining will be transferred to the Calhoun County Library system to be used exclusively and solely for the benefit of the Seadrift Branch Library. In the future, should anyone wish to make a monetary contribution for memorial or otherwise, please do so through the Calhoun County Library Director, to be designated for the sole benefit of the Seadrift Branch Library. Any questions may be directed to the Calhoun County Library Director.

In 2017 the Seadrift City Council came to the conclusion that the preferred design for a silhouette to be installed near the old train depot would be that of a locomotive. This silhouette is based on the Baldwin 4-4-0 type locomotive. As a result of extensive research by artist Brian Norwood and Historical Commission member Gary Ralston, it was determined that this particular model would be a good representation of the type of locomotive that would’ve served this area back in the early 1900s.

The silhouette was funded by the Calhoun County Historical Commission and installed by the City of Seadrift.

The commission had planned an official dedication of the silhouette, but due to storm damage, it was decided that the commission would transfer ownership of the silhouette to the City of Seadrift at a regular scheduled council meeting on March 6, 2018.

Last year Darrell and JoBeth Staff, the local artisans who create the beautiful stone crosses at their home on Park Street near front beach, donated a cross to commemorate the community celebration of Easter Sunrise Services each year on Kingfisher Beach. Families have been blessed by this special event for more than 20 years. Somehow that cross was broken earlier this Fall.

This generous couple not only donated a second cross sculpture refusing any reimbursement but spent their time and hard work removing the broken cross from the concrete, repairing the site and installing the replacement cross complete with the commemorative plaque which had to be carefully removed and remounted.

These two are hard workers, constantly doing for others and willing to lend a hand. Thanks Darrel and JoBeth for your generosity and community support.

If you have not seen their work, drive by Park and Adams for a look at their beautiful craftsmanship. If you see them around, thank them for their community spirit. The cross is in place near the flag pole just past the walkway to the pier.