Santa Fe Depot at 401 Fort Worth Highway approved as Weatherford local historic landmark

The Weatherford Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved a recommendation to designate the Santa Fe Depot at 401 Fort Worth Highway as an individual local historic landmark during its meeting. Staff presented the nomination and recommended approval.

Monica, a staff member presenting the nomination, told the commission the depot was built in 1908, served as a local transportation hub, and was marked with a Texas State Historic Marker in 1960. "In order for a property to be a local historic landmark, it has to be at least 50 years old," Monica said, and she told members the site met multiple local criteria including significance in history, architecture and culture and an intact early-20th-century physical character.

Commission members voiced support for the nomination during discussion and there were no members of the public who spoke during the public hearing. The commission chair called for a motion; the chair later announced that the motion to approve was moved by Jamie and seconded by Brenda, and the motion passed unanimously. According to staff remarks, if the commission’s recommendation is affirmed by the commission, it will be forwarded to the city council for ultimate approval.

The depot’s nomination packet cited architectural features including pressed red brick construction, a southwestern influence, three interior rooms, an original stationmaster’s desk and an intact low brick platform. Staff recommended the commission forward the designation to council; commissioners approved that recommendation.

Next steps: the commission’s recommendation will be sent to Weatherford city council for consideration and final action.