Comprehensive Master Plan - City of Alvin

Community SnapshotBuffalo Bayou, Brazos, and Colorado Railroad before the War between theStates. After the uncertainties of the War and the subsequent period ofReconstruction, railroad construction in Texas became serious business. Citieswere born along rail lines while those that did not receive a railroad oftendied. The business community in Galveston, eager to develop rail ties withinTexas that was not required to go through Houston began arranging to helpfinance a new railroad from Galveston westward. Since one principalcommodity shipped on nineteenth century railroads in Texas was cattle, theorganizers of the new line realized the importance of a location with freshwater where the cattle could be held. Alvin Morgan was employed by theGulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railroad to find a location and to oversee thepens and tanks. A location on the banks of Mustang Bayou fulfilled therequirements.The site of the tanks and pens became one of the new communities along therailroad. It received the name of Mr. Morgan who lived in the communityuntil his death on May 7, 1909. Later additional rail lines, one north toHouston and the other to the south, joined the tracks in Alvin. All of theselines gave the residents of Alvin access to markets for their products, vehiclesto receive goods, and passenger service to locations throughout the UnitedStates. Alvinites could travel to Galveston to conduct business ventures, topurchase products, and to visit medical facilities. The residents enjoyed thebenefits the railroad lines provided.The Santa Fe Railroad built a new depot in Alvin during the first decade ofthe twentieth century to accommodate the bustling railroad business. Thebuilding was constructed in the style prevalent during its construction period.For many years the railroad company maintained a rose garden adjacent tothe building. The grounds of the depot contained flowers, shrubs, and largebanana trees that were covered during freezing weather to prevent damage.The depot and its grounds provided a nice visual image as the entrance to theCity.Other modes of transportation eclipsed railroads during the twentiethcentury. Airlines and automobiles became favorite vehicles for travel. Truckstook much of the freight traffic away from rails. Alvin was affected by thesechanges in transportation. Its depot, once the site of passenger and freightactivity, sat vacant for many years. The former center of the City’s travel hadfallen victim to the times. No longer did it provide a scenic entrance.Page 2-5