Kilgore I&GN-Missouri Pacific Railroad Station

The town of Kilgore was platted by the International Railroad Company after it purchased land for a townsite from C. B. "Buck" Kilgore, who had donated a 200-foot railroad right-of-way in 1871. Kilgore, a resident of Danville (4 mi. E), recognizing the economic opportunities afforded by the railroad, soon built a new home near the station. Many other Danville citizens followed Kilgore's lead, and a community was established and named for him. This railroad station was completed in 1872 to provide passenger and freight service and to serve as a communications center for this agricultural and lumbering area. In 1931 oil was discovered in what became known as the East Texas Oil field, and the volume of shipments from the Kilgore station increased dramatically. Later, World War II provided the depot with a steady stream of troop trains. The rail line became known as the Missouri Pacific in 1956. As automobile, bus, and air travel became more popular, rail traffic decreased, and in 1977 the Kilgore station was closed. The depot stands today as a reminder of the significant role rail transportation played in the growth and development of Kilgore and East Texas.

Kilgore I&GN-Missouri Pacific Railroad Station is a historical marker in Kilgore, Gregg County, dedicated in 1984. It is one of 81 historical markers documented in Gregg County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 124 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.3876, -94.8759 near Kilgore. The nearest cataloged historic site is World's Richest Acre (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Crim, Lou Della, Kilgore National Bank Building, and Alexander Institute.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5183009969. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.