In 1909 - The Gulf, Texas and Western (GT&W) Railroad

In 1909, the Jacksboro Board of Trade raised $25,000 locally to assure a Gulf, Texas and Western railway line would be built from Jacksboro to Benjamin. The Gulf, Texas and Western Railroad, Jack County's second railroad, began on February 9, 1909. The lines were laid through Jack County and a depot was built on what is now South Main Street near the Lost Creek Bridge. Although chartered to cover 400 miles from the Sabine River to Knox County, only 98 miles of track was laid beginning in Jacksboro and ending in Benjamin.

The list of donors includes ancestors of many families living in Jack County today. The GT&W's first board of directors was comprised of Oliver Loving of Graham, J.W. Pinson of Jacksboro, Roy Megargel of New York City, and J.J. Jermyn of Scranton, Pennsylvania. They had a vision and were willing to invest themselves to benefit the entire community.

A 1909 edition of the Jacksboro Gazette describes the design of the Jacksboro Depot as "a splended stone depot" to be built of Jacksboro stone by W.M. Shaw of Jacksboro. It had "spacious waiting rooms and ample freight storage" - all built to accommodate high traffic volume.

Along its route, the new towns of Loving, Jermyn and Megargel sprang up. The last spike was driven in Seymour, completing the line on May 24, 1910. A huge celebration followed with town bands, politicians, a baseball game, and a lavish barbecue.

Today - The Jacksboro Tourism Center

Portions of the cuts and fills for the rail line may still be dimly seen upon the lands it crossed, but its primary remaining presence in Jack County is the old Jacksboro depot that is now threatened by the ravaging forces of time and neglect. In 2004, the Community Advancement Foundation of the Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce committed itself to raise funds so that the GT&W Depot (the old Hull Chevrolet building) is preserved and renovated into the Jacksboro Tourism and Visitors Center.

Our vision has been completed with the opening of the GT&W Depot as a center of tourism and trade, as well as a showcase for many of the community's historical artifacts. The restored depot is the location of the Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce, Jacksboro Ecomnomic Development Corporation and the Tourism Center which will soon house a historical display from the Jack County Museum, and various other artifacts, photographs and publications concerning the area's history.

Almost a century ago, the people of Jack County envisioned the growth, prosperity and improved quality of life that a rail line could bring to the community. They invested in that dream and made it a reality.

Today, Jack County remains a rural get-away for the sprawling urban communities on its borders. Jacksboro's parks, lakes, hunting leases, and other recreation opportunities beckon visitors to come and play, shop, eat, and stay. The future is bright for tourism and business development in Jacksboro.

Nearly 100 years later, the dream is still alive. Climb aboard! With our citizens "on board" from the beginning of this project, the Community Advancement Foundation has reached it's goal of opening the Depot. Additional projects are in the planning stages. If you would like to contribute to future projects of the Community Advancement Foundation, please contact them by writing to Community Advancement Foundation P.O Box 606, Jacksboro, TX 76458.

Future projects will primarily be funded by private donations. The Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce encourages individuals and businesses to donate money, time or services toward the renovation effort.

For more information, or to donate contact the Chamber of Commerce office at jacksborocofc@sbcglobal.net or by calling (940) 567-2602. We invite you to become a part of future historic renovation projects.