Texas State Railroad named one of 14 most endangered sites
Preservation Texas makes announcement in Austin Feb. 7
BY TERRIE GONZALEZ

Preservation Texas identifies sites on map l Texas State Railroad employees Janet Roach (left) and Mark Price (far right) visit with Dr. Terry Colley, deputy executive director of the Texas Historical Commission Feb. 7 in Austin. Preservation Texas included the East Texas train on its list of 14 most endangered historic places in the state.

AUSTIN - The "official railroad of Texas" received a dubious honor last Wednesday when it was named one of the 14 most endangered historic places in Texas.

The award was made in Austin on the steps of the State Capitol by Preservation Texas, a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving state historic places.

Texas State Railroad employees Mark Price and Janet Roach, accompanied by Palestine Main Street Manager Neely Plumb, were present for the announcement.

"This list represents some of the imminent needs for positive action," said Libby Buuck, president of the organization. "The purpose of this listing is to save historic structures by building public awareness and mobilizing community resources.

Preservation Texas began its "list making" of endangered sites in 2004. One of the organization's biggest success stories includes the revitalization of many of Texas' courthouses.

Other sites on the 2007 list with the Texas State Railroad include: the Palace Theater, Brady; Wise Estate/Grand Theater, Paris; River Oaks and Alabama theaters, Houston; Capitan Theater, Pasadena; views of the State Capitol; Broad Street Bridge, Mason; River Oaks Shopping Center, 1937; James and Jessie West Mansion; Galveston's unprotected historic neighborhoods; Old Arlington High School, Arlington; Old Denison High School, Denison; Comanche St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Company Depot, Comanche; Mercer House, Port Aransas and the Keller Building, Spur.