Progress Set
HISTORY Many of the prominent landmarks found within downtown Temple date back to its early history. The following provides an abbreviated timeline and imagery of the early formative elements of the City of Temple.
1881-02-18
The first train to arrive at Temple Junction was on 188102-18
1881-06-29, TEMPLE IS FOUNDED
“On June 29, 1881, the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway held a public sale of town lots. Beer and barbecue was served to all. The sale of lots officially recognized Temple as a town and made it possible for settlers to establish permanent businesses and homes. Prior to the official sale of town lots, the railroad allowed a few essential businesses to operate.” (Source: Notes on Bell County, TX, Vol. 3 by Mike and Nancy Kelsey)
1882, CITY INCORPORATED Notice of Temple town lots for sale.
The City of Temple is incorporated by a vote 61 in favor and 58 against on July 8, 1882
1893-09-24 TEMPLE’S PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM STARTED
Santa Fe Hospital
“On September 24, (1893) the city voted, 114 to 2, to take charge of the schools, forming an independent school district. At an election on December 17, (1893) a special tax was voted, and on the 26th day of December 1883, the building that had just been constructed to house the Temple Academy, was taken over by the city…This building was located on the present site of Central Junior High (located on the corner of Main Street and Downs Avenue).” (Source: Temple Daily Telegram, 1931-06-26)
1898
Santa Fe Hospital north and south wing additions
In 1898 Central Avenue, running down to the MissouriKansas-Texas (Katy) depot, was the only graded graveled street in the city. (Source: Looking Backward, 1945-12-25. W. Goodrich Jones Editor)
1908, SANTA FE HOSPITAL
The main wing of the Santa Fe Hospital was completed in December 1908. The north wing was built in 1915, and he south wing was built in 1925.
1911, SANTA FE PASSENGER DEPOT
(L to R) ATSF Passenger Depot and Fred Harvey House
6 Downtown District
The two-story brick Santa Fe passenger depot, designed by Jarvis Hunt, was completed in 1911. Construction started in August 1909. The first floor served as the passenger waiting room, while the second floor contained offices for railroad staff. The waiting room floors were gray marble.
DRAFT
