Historical Marker

Glidden

Glidden, Colorado County · Texas
Erected 1985

Glidden was built to fix engines. The railroad laid it out on 159½ acres as the site for its shops, switching yards and roundhouse, handling east-west traffic and cars from the La Grange Tap line, and by 1891 it was the major railroad-maintenance point between Houston and El Paso, with more than 200 people. By 1887 it had a hotel and a Farmers' Alliance of over thirty members. The shops stayed busy through the Spanish-American War and both world wars, but diesel engines made them obsolete, and they were phased out in the late 1940s and 1950s.

What the plaque says

Glidden Before the railroad came to Colorado County, this area was the origin of several cattle drives to northern markets. Early settlers in the region were area gravel industry pioneer J. N. Mahon; John Turnbough, a contractor who came in 1877; Rancher J. L. Townsend, who purchased land in 1879 and later served as Colorado County sheriff; T. J. Oakes, A. A. Oakes, and A. J. Folts, founders of a mercantile business that remained in operation for more than 100 years; and the L. H. Schulenburg family, who developed the first addition to Glidden. In 1882 T. J. Oakes sold land to the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railway Company. A switchyard, depot, roundhouse, turntable, water well, and section house were built. H. T. Youens was station agent in 1885. The townsite of Glidden, named for railroad engineer F. G. Glidden, was platted that year and quickly developed as a rail center for the surrounding area. Many Scotch-Irish and English railroad workers were attracted to Glidden during its early years. In 1888 the post office was established, and by 1897 a school had opened. Although Glidden has continued as a railroad town, many changes have taken place in the rail industry and in the community. The history of Glidden is an important part of Colorado County's heritage. (1985)

Where it stands

29.70159, -96.58743 · Directions

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