Look across from the derricks for your next stop at the Kilgore Train Depot, a charming landmark that connects Kilgore to its earliest days. In 1871, local farmer Buck Kilgore donated a 200 foot right of way to the railroad, a forward looking decision that helped secure the town’s future. By 1872, a small passenger and freight depot stood on this site, serving as both a transportation center and a vital link to the outside world. Farmers shipped their produce from here, merchants received goods, and families arrived from across Texas hoping to build new lives.
The depot experienced its busiest days after the discovery of oil in 1931. Trains arrived packed with workers, investors, and prospectors drawn to the booming oil fields. During World War II, the depot again played an important role as troop trains passed through regularly, carrying soldiers on their way to training camps and overseas service.
Today, the depot remains standing, carefully restored and given new purpose as the White Elephant Shop, a resale store that supports the Kilgore Improvement and Beautification Association. This adaptive reuse allows the building to continue serving the community, just as it has for more than a century, while preserving an important piece of Kilgore’s railroad heritage.