Welcome to the webpage of the Rockdale Historical Society founded in 1998 with the mission of preserving the rich heritage of Rockdale and surrounding areas.
This webpage also contains links to our restoration projects and the area-wide events we have sponsored for promoting historical awareness and fundraising for our restoration projects.
In 1998, the Rockdale Historical Society was formed with the initial goal of purchasing the old Rockdale I&GN Passenger Depot and restoring it to its former glory. The restored depot would then house a museum emphasizing the role of the railroads, agriculture, and mining in the development of Rockdale and surrounding areas.
On December 1, 1999 the Rockdale Historical Society purchased the depot building and grounds from Mr. Adolph McVoy Jr. and set about the task of fundraising and restoring the depot which currently houses the Rockdale I&GN Depot Museum with a fantastic collection of historical artifacts.
Since our founding, we have extended our vision to include other areas of historical preservation including an operational blacksmith with early-day tools and other related areas of interest. We are actively soliciting donations of historical photographs and papers and items dealing with life in early day Rockdale and the surrounding areas.
ROCKDALE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS
2011 OFFICERS
President - Bert Dockall
Vice President -
Secretary - Karen Newton
Treasurer - Pat Jackson
Archivist - Ramona Barlow Historian & Parliamentarian - Eugenia Newton
2011 BOARD MEMBERS
Charlie Watson
Gary Jackson
J T Talley
Lucile Estell
James Powell
Ernest Garza
Gerry Offield
Loy Edmondson
Judy Slusher
Dave Phillips
Glen Banzhaf
MEETINGS OF THE ROCKDALE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Rockdale Historical Society is a non-profit 501c3 organization and membership is open to everyone. Regular meetings are 7:00PM every second Tuesday of the month and volunteers are always needed to help with exhibits after hours, classifying and organizing donations and staffing the museum during open hours.
PRESERVING ROCKDALE'S PAST
The Rockdale Historical Society is actively seeking donations of old photos, letters, and historical relics relating to the Rockdale area. These donations are at the heart of preserving our rich heritage. All donated items will be carefully inventoried, documented, doners identified and recorded and the artifacts will be integrated into wonderful displays of Rockdale's early history.
To make a donation, contact any of the Rockdale Historical Society board members or come by the Depot Museum during open hours (Saturdays 10-4 and Sundays 1-4 or call ahead for a special appointment-PHONE No. 512-446-2020).
ABOUT THE ROCKDALE I&GN DEPOT MUSEUM
The Rockdale I&GN Depot Museum is located in downtown Rockdale (11 N. MAIN ST.)in the recently restored former International & Great Northern Passenger Train Depot.
Dedicated to the preservation of our railroad and local history, the museum currently houses a collection of railroad and other artifacts relating to the early history of Rockdale and the surrounding areas. In addition to the fully restored passenger depot, the site has on display a Missouri Pacific dining car, the 36 "Cheyenne Mountain", and a restored Missouri Pacific (StLB&M) caboose. The site also includes an operating model railroad in O and HO scales, and an operational early-day blacksmith shop. For more information about the depot restoration project, see
ROCKDALE I&GN DEPOT
Painting of the Rockdale International & Great Northern Railroad Passenger and Freight Depots and McVoys Grocery and Feed Store across the street.
