TEXARKANA, Ark. – The Arkansas-side Board of Directors of the city of Texarkana has approved a $200,000 contribution to help the city of Texarkana, Texas, buy Texarkana Union Station from its private owner, the Texarkana Gazette reported. The two cities, which straddle the Arkansas-Texas border, hope to pursue a joint redevelopment project for the building.
Last month, both cities and Amtrak signed an agreement for the station’s possible redevelopment. Amtrak’s plans include potentially applying for state and federal historic grant funds, because Union Station has existed since both cities’ founding, according to municipal documents.
Should the project fall short, Mayor Allen Brown said both cities would get their funds returned, the Gazette reported.
In the late 1920s the Cotton Belt, Missouri Pacific, Texas & Pacific, and Kansas City Southern created the Texarkana Union Station Trust to construct and operate a modern union passenger terminal, which opened in 1930. The 44,000-square-foot station features Renaissance revival architecture. Three large, arched windows flanked by decorative columns highlight its façade. This station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Amtrak did not begin serving Texarkana until 1974 when the Inter-American was introduced. It was decided at that time the main waiting room and ticket counter would not be used because it was too large for Amtrak’s purpose. The baggage end of the building was retrofitted to include a ticket counter and waiting room for Amtrak that is still used today.
The state line bisects the Amtrak platform in Texarkana. The station is served by the Texas Eagle. At the stop, if you are on the west end of the train, you’re in Texas. If you’re on the east side, you’re in Arkansas.
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