The two-story Union Depot in late 19th century Rosenberg.
A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY | By Joan Frances –
The evolution of society warrants a constant evaluation of how to improve and make life better. History centers on progress and advancement. One of the most powerful forces in America during the industrial revolution that changed the way people worked and traveled was the development of the railroad.
In the early 1800s, a man named George Stephenson in Great Britain successfully applied steam technology and created the world’s first successful locomotive. The United States purchased engines and rails, imported them from England and began expansion. This brought profound social, economic and political change to a country only 50 years old.
From 1830 to the 1860s, the railway emerged replacing canals as a primary mode of transportation. After the Civil War, rail mileage grew from 53,000 in 1870 to under 200,000 miles by the turn of the century. In 1883, the railroads established the Eastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific time zones across the United States to ease cross country scheduling. As passenger trains evolved, people were fearful that the human body could not withstand speeds exceeding 15 miles per hour. Studies were done to prove that the brain could function at speeds near 20 miles per hour. Railroading also helped by providing thousands of Americans steady employment. Transportation was very economical and technology advanced rapidly. Cities sprung up overnight as the rail system was built; Fort Bend became a thriving community.
A bridge spanning the Brazos River to Richmond in the 19th century.
The first railroad in Texas was chartered on February 11, 1850. The Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado Railroads were established to secure trade from the Brazos to Galveston. Bridging the Brazos River was a challenge; building was difficult because of the lack of adequate construction equipment. At times, the train would end up in the river. By 1853, the first 20 miles reached Stafford and two years later progressed to Richmond. In 1856 came the second Railroad Company, The Houston Tap and Brazoria, and they continued adding mileage through Fort Bend County. This system connected with the first some 50 miles away.
The Civil War in the 1860s proved to be a disaster for the railroads. All progress came to a halt and in some cases, foreclosure. Then in 1873, growth began again with the organization of the third railroad of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe to Fort Bend traveling to the city of Rosenberg, where it crossed the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad at grade. Towns began to grow and prosper as sugar cane, rice, gravel and eventually sulfur were the primarily transported commodities. Passenger cars played a big part in transportation until automobiles were affordable for individuals to purchase.
Today, a person can hear the wail of a train engine up to five miles away. Railroads are still instrumental in transport but focus on bulk shipments such as coal or grains. Chemicals, ethanol, plastics, automobiles and assembly parts are also major freight cargo. Passenger trains are still available as a change of pace for travel from city to city. Rosenberg, Galveston, Temple and San Angelo have preserved the history of the railroad with engaging museums and vintage rail cars to remind Americans of how far we have come and to remind us that Thomas Jefferson was indeed a man of gifted foresight.