Pearland and the Santa Fe Railroad

The Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railroad built a siding switch called "Mark Belt" near here in 1883 as part of its Houston to Alvin branch rail line. In 1893 William Zychlinski purchased 2560 acres in this area which he subdivided and platted in 1894. Included in Zychlinski's subdivision was the 273-acre townsite of Pearland. S. M. Christensen, president of the Southern Homestead Company, contracted to develop the townsite. As part of a plan to attract settlers to the townsite Christensen planted numerous pear and other fruit trees. In 1900 the Santa Fe Railroad built a depot nearby which soon became a gathering place for settlers to meet visitors and pick up mail and supplies. Locally produced cotton, hay, cattle, fruit and vegetables were shipped to market by railroad from the depot. Pearland's development, delayed by the devastating storm of 1900, surged about 1910 as the Allison-Richey Suburban Gardens Co. successfully promoted the area as an agricultural wonderland with vital railroad access. Oil production, cattle ranching, and hay, rice, and fig farming sustained Pearland's growth. The railroad's importance diminished and in 1972 the depot closed. It was donated to the city and moved here through the efforts of many citizens and organizations. (1994)

Pearland and the Santa Fe Railroad is a historical marker in Pearland, Brazoria County, dedicated in 1994. It is one of 125 historical markers documented in Brazoria County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 223 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.5508, -95.2569 near Pearland. The nearest cataloged historic site is The 1937 Pearland High School (historical marker), about 1.9 miles away. Others within a short drive include First United Methodist Church of Pearland, Zychlinski Park, and Robert L. and Julia Martin Hunter.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5039009582. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.