Iron Horse Square is a five acre area in downtown Mineola that celebrates the railroad heritage of our city, county and East Texas area.

Situated between Front and Commerce Streets and alongside the Union Pacific Railroad tracks the park is a joint effort between the Mineola Landmark Commission, the Parks & Open Spaces Board and the City of Mineola.

Iron Horse Square will provide a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events.

Iron Horse Square’s mission is to celebrate the railroad heritage of the city of Mineola by stimulating cultural, economic and social activity within and around the park.

• Connect the park with the downtown area via a pedestrian bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad.

• Construct a ½ mile walking path with historical railroad signage along the path.

• Construct a 15” gauge railroad track with a 36 passenger train. (accomplished)

• Construct a replica of Mineola Engine House to accomodate the mini train. (accomplished)

• Erect replica of the M&KT Interlocking Tower built in 1887.

• Place a model train layout of 1930’s Mineola & her railroads in the depot. (accomplished)

• Purchase a Railroad Business or Lounge Car to place in the park to be used for a museum. The car will also be open for public viewing and small group meetings.

• Host music, arts, and historical venues throughout the year.

Located to the immediate west of U.S. Highway 69 and between Front & Commerce streets is the old Union Depot which serves as an Amtrak passenger station and as a small railroad history museum. The station has a passenger waiting area, an office area, restroom facilities, a railroad artifact area and a conference room. The depot was remodeled in 2005 and rededicated in 2006 with its exterior having been restored to its original 1906 design.

The multimodal depot is now known as the Mineola Transportation Plaza and won the “Best Building Restoration” award from the Texas Downtown Association in 2006; the city leases the property from the Union Pacific Railroad.

Covered Commons Area

Located approximately 50’ west of the depot is a 30x60 open commons area with cement flooring and seating around the perimeter.

15” Gauge Train and Track (1 engine & 3 passenger cars)

A 15 inch gauge replica of a Union Pacific train has been built by Swannee River Railroad Company in Lufkin, Texas and funded by the Meredith Foundation.  The total distance at this time is approximately one-quarter of a mile.

The engine is diesel and each passenger car holds up to 12 patrons.

On May 12, 2018, a model railroad replicating 1930’s Mineola & her 3 railroads was opened in the Mineola Depot Museum. The model train layout will be used as an educational tool for individuals and groups who are seeking to learn about Mineola/East Texas and her railroad history. The trains will have the capability of being run remotely from inside and outside the train room.

In the future, an individual operating the display will also have the option to hear historical information about selected Mineola businesses by pressing the button corresponding to that business.

The mini train storage building is a replica of the Round House that was in the West Mineola train yard.  It will serve as a feature for our train to pass through as well as the housing area for the mini train when not in use.

An additional 552’ has been added to the existing 4’ x 332’ pipe tubing fence. Name plaques are being sold for a $500 donation to Iron Horse Square to raise money to purchase the fence.

Photo by Sam Major

Depot / Waiting Area

Depot / Waiting Area is a covered, open air waiting area on the East curve of the mini train tracks.

Historical Walking Trail (one-half mile in distance)

A ½ mile long foot path providing wheelchair accessibility will be constructed through Iron Horse Square. Along the foot path will be historical signage depicting the story of Mineola’s railroad heritage. The path (red) will begin near the covered common’s area, track west to Stone Street, with parts of it on the actual abandoned railbed of the M&KT (Katy) Railroad, and back to the entrance. There are also rest areas and picnic tables along the trail. (Yellow is possible future paths dependent on right of way clearances)

Information Sign at Iron Horse Square - Stone Street

A large wooden, three-sectioned sign where the historical railroad walking trail (Katy Trail) intersects with Stone Street.

The sign has three diverse sections on one side and a map of the park on the other side. There is a pull over area for cars and other passerby. The sign functions as a western entrance sign to Iron Horse Square.

*Note – Sign at Stone St. is independent & different from the basic historical signage for the walking trail. One of the sections includes information for nature lovers and another one will be about the settlers of the immediate area that settled on or near the area south of the railroad.

Section 2 summarizes the history of the Missouri Kansas and Texas Railroad ROW (right of way) from Mineola to Greenville (the sign’s location is on the MKT ROW). It will also entwine the history of the Texas & Pacific which ran parallel to it at that location.

Section 3 gives information about the plants along the MKT ROW. It will identify several plants as well as tell how the trees were used by the railroad to make crossties and burned to produce steam to power the early trains. Local knowledgeable nature enthusiasts as well as Texas Parks & Wildlife will be consulted on contents of this section.

Historical Signage (interactive signage) & Photo Op Areas

Historical signs will be posted alongside the entire walking path telling the story of Mineola’s railroad heritage. The story will include the International and Great Northern Railroad, the Missouri Kansas and Texas Railroad, and the Texas and Pacific, Missouri Pacific, Union Pacific, & Amtrak Railroad companies. These signs will explain the history and impact of the railroad in Mineola & East Texas and how the Union Pacific Railroad Company is helping to ensure our railroading heritage will live on for many years to come.

Pedestrian Bridge over Union Pacific Railroad (12’x75’)

A foot bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad connecting Commerce Street parking with the Railroad Park will be added to allow foot traffic and bicycle traffic safe access to the depot and the railroad park. This foot bridge will also benefit Amtrak passengers waiting for their train. It will allow them to safely cross over the railroad tracks to dine and/or shop in Mineola and to return to the depot in time to board their train.

Access to the bridge will be switch-back ramps leading to the main bridge. The foot bridge will be a truss design. The only means at present for foot traffic to cross from Union Depot and Iron Horse Square is to walk over the Hwy 69 crossing (a major U.S. highway with heavy traffic).

A replica of Mineola Interlocker #62, authorized by the Texas Railroad Commission in 1905 as one of the first interlockers constructed in the state of Texas, will be built by a local builder.

Procurement of switch levers, switches, pipes and rollers to bring the inside of the tower to true historical replication will be a top priority.

This will accommodate a Railroad Museum, Souvenirs and Concessions.

Call Doris Newman at 903-569-6183.  Follow the Iron Horse Square Project on Facebook.