A new look at an old Kerrville photograph

Kerrville train depot, possibly 1910.
Click on any image to enlarge.

Though I have published a photograph of Kerrville’s first train depot several times, the image I used was a copy of a copy, and so most of the details were lost in the photograph I shared. When you make a copy of a copy of an image, it’s like looking at the photograph through fogged-up eyeglasses.

The ladies

A few weeks ago, however, I was given an original print of the photograph, meaning the photograph was made from the original negative. Suddenly fine details of the photograph were much clearer.

You would think having a finer image at which to look would answer a lot of questions, but this new photograph just brought new questions, and more than a few.

The men

I count seven people in the photograph, though one person has their back to the photographer and is a blur. I also see one dog in the photo, on the front seat of the carriage, next to the driver.

There are two signs – one for Wells Fargo Express, and the other for Western Union Telegraph. An advertisement for “Old Virginia Cheroots” can also be seen, offering three cigars for a nickel.

The railroad came to Kerrville in 1887, with financial assistance from of local leaders, including Capt. Charles Schreiner. Kerrville was the end of the line for the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad. Having a rail line to Kerrville meant products produced here, such as wool, mohair, and agricultural products, could be conveniently shipped to markets. Livestock, including cattle, could also be transported to distant markets without the need for expensive (and dangerous) cattle drives. 

There was also another benefit: passengers could travel to and from Kerrville, and our first tourist seasons coincided with the arrival of the trains here.

I know the photograph was taken before September, 1913, because this depot burned that month.

"An alarm was turned in shortly after 11 o'clock, but by the time the first company was on the ground the entire building, which had evidently taken fire from within, was a mass of flames. In the freight warehouse were a number of barrels of oils of different kinds, which together with lard bacon and other inflammable merchandise made a terrific fire. On a siding near the depot were two cars of merchandise. These were also completely destroyed."

Old Virginia Cheroot

A new depot was built for Kerrville, but not until 1915. That building still stands, and today it is the home of Rails, a Café at the Depot.

The late Forrest Salter, whose family owned the Kerrville Mountain Sun, published the photograph with this cutline:

"Remember When? Kerrville was the railhead for the entire area in 1910 when this picture was made, and daily passenger service to San Antonio was the main mode of travel. D. H. Comparette located this rare picture, made by the late Col. J. E. Grinstead, and said it was made before a fire destroyed part of the station. Comparette could identify the team of horses, which he said belonged to E. E. Galbraith, but is unable to recognize any of the people."

Wells Fargo Express

Edward E. Galbraith was a dentist, and also a businessman. He helped organize the First State Bank, which later became First National Bank, and served as its president from 1918 until 1957.

Based on Mr. Salter’s cutline, I’d guess the photograph was taken in 1910, though by then there were quite a few automobiles in town, and I would not be surprised if the photograph was older.

Western Union

I’ve included two scans of the people in the photograph – hoping a reader might recognize an ancestor among the six people in the image.

Until next week, all the best.

Joe Herring Jr. is a Kerrville native who collects old Kerrville and Kerr County historical items.  If you have something you'd care to share with him, it would make him happy. This column originally appeared in the Kerr County Lead June 27, 2024.

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