Rockport Texas - The History, Legends & Lore 1st Printing | Page 90

Today, the Train Station is gone, but we still have the Old Depot. LORE: The Rockport Train Station & Depot The Depot is the smaller building on the far left, which still exists. Passenger Service ended in the 1940’s, but the Freight Service continued until 1985, when the railroad tracks were removed. The Rockport Transcript The Rockport Transcript was our first Newspaper. It began in 1869 and didn’t stop its presses until 1886. Below its Lone Star banner reads: “The PRESS.... the mightiest of the means - On which the arm of progress leans”. Aransas Hotel opened in 1889. It was four stories high and that included a roof story. It stayed open year around and could lodge 300 guests. And it was the center of Rockport’s and Fulton’s social life during its time, entertaining and accommodating the upper echelon of high society from all over the world. Its name was later changed to the Hotel Del Mar. The Hotel burned down in March of 1919. Aransas Hotel Photo: Courtesy of the Aransas County Historical Society 89