Marker location: 109 E. Jackson Ave., Weimar (now used as public library) Marker erected: 1977.
Marker Text:
Weimar was founded in 1873 when T. W. Peirce, president of the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railroad, built a depot here on property of D. W. Jackson (1829-1904). Peirce and Jackson shared the profits from sale of town lots. Before the coming of the railroad, transportation had posed a major problem for this area. Named for a German town that Peirce admired, Weimar quickly became a leading trade center. The first depot was replaced in 1925 by the present structure. In 1972 the Southern Pacific Railroad donated the building for use as the Weimar Public Library.Depot Historical Marker To be Dedicated Friday
The Official Texas Historical Marker for the Weimar railroad depot will he dedicated in a public ceremony this Friday at 7 p.m., it was announced by Mrs. James G. Hopkins of Garwood, chairman of the Colorado County Historical Commission.
The marker has been erected near the curb of Jackson Avenue in front of the old depot, which is now Weimar Public Library.
Taking part In the ceremony will be members of the Library board and of Weimar Lions Club, which sponsored the marker, along with Historical Commission and City representatives.
Site of Town's Birth
Made of cast aluminum with Swedish steel effect, the marker measures 18 by 28 inches. The inscription on it tells the historical significance of the old depot site:
"Weimar Railroad Depot. Weimar was founded in 1873 when T. W. Pierce, president of The Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railroad, built a depot here on property of D. W, Jackson (1829-1904). Pierce and Jackson shared the profits from sale of town lots. Before the coming of the railroad, transportation had posed a major problem for this area. Named for a German town that Pierce admired, Weimar quickly became a leading trade center. The, first depot was replaced in 1925 by the present structure. In 1972 the Southern Pacific Railroad donated the building for use as The Weimar Public Library. (1977) Sponsored by Weimar Lions Club."On Park Land
While it is the depot site that it commemorates, the marker stands on a strip of land, between the city street and the railroad right-of-way, that "Squire" Jackson dedicate as forever for the use of the public, not for sale or lease to any private citizen. Old pictures show it as a fenced in park along this block of the street that the founder named for himself-and the only one he called an 'avenue" as he named the streets, Turnstiles in the fence allowed people easy access but kept out the "town cow," so-called because no one was required to keep his cow confined.
Across the street from this little park were Weimar's earliest business houses.
The name and location of the marker will appear in the next edition of the Guide to Official Texas Historical Markers in order to stimulate tourist travel in this area, to arouse interest, in historical tours, and to acquaint the people of this locale with their heritage
Weimar Mercury, June 23, 1977*****
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