 The foundation of Tower 54 remains in place at the former crossing of the I-GN and the SA&AP. |
The foundation of Tower 54 remains in place at the former crossing of the I-GN and the SA&AP. |
Rockdale was founded in 1873 as the International & Great Northern (I-GN) built a rail line from Hearne to Austin. It quickly developed into a major shipping point for local agricultural products and in the 1890s, lignite mines were dug in the vicinity. In 1891, the San Antonio & Aransas Pass (SA&AP) built north through Rockdale heading for Waco. This gave Rockdale rail service in all directions providing another economic boost. Tower 54 was constructed for a manual interlocker at the crossing diamond. The I-GN became a Missouri Pacific property and subsequently merged into the Union Pacific RR which continues to operate the line as a major route between Austin and Longview. The SA&AP became a Southern Pacific property. The line was abandoned between Giddings and Cameron in 1959, at which time Tower 54 was decommissioned.
Above: The Sanborn Insurance Map of Rockdale from 1925 shows the location of
the railroad "Signal Tower".
Tower 54, Location Map
