Date:

February 23

Time:

11:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Location:

Allen Depot

Address:

100 East Main Street
Allen, TX 75013

Contact:

972-727-8985

Links:

Information

In 1872, the Houston and Texas Central Railroad arrived in Allen, ultimately connecting its rail line from Galveston to Denison and the rest of the country.  Arrival of the railroad changed the course of Allen’s history.  It was February 22, 1878, when Sam Bass and his gang robbed the train at Allen Station, thereby committing the first successful train robbery in Texas. 

To commemorate this event as well as learn more about trains and how they impacted our community, join in the celebration of the Allen Heritage Guild’s fifth annual Railroad History Day.  Events for everyone in the family will be offered from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, February 23, at the Allen Depot, 100 E. Main St.

• Allen High School drama students will re-enact the Sam Bass Robbery at 12:30 and again at 1:30 p.m.
• At 11:00 a.m., acclaimed actor and Allen resident Burton Gilliam will speak.
• At 12:00 p.m., listen to old-time fiddling and enjoy free hot dogs and drinks.
• Page Thomas will offer outdoor blacksmith demonstrations with his forge.
• Learn about train bells and the meaning behind each ring and take the opportunity to ring the new Ebenezer Allen steam engine bell. and
• Have your picture taken with the Sam Bass gang portrait. 
• A telegraph system will be installed for people to try their hand at transmitting Morse code messages.
• To illustrate how important water was to the railroad, youngsters will transfer “water” from the water tower to a train. 
• A train bingo game will be fun for all.
• Learn about the different flag signals that trains used in the 1870s.

Students are encouraged to enter the Sam Bass Day Art Contest.   The request for this year’s contest is to draw or paint a steam locomotive that came through Allen in the 1870’s.  Information can be obtained from the art teacher at each AISD school.  Home school students can enroll at the Allen Heritage Guild’s website.  Entries will be judged on originality and creativity.  Winners will receive a ribbon and first place winners in each category will receive a monetary award. The categories are K-3^rd, 4^th-6^th, middle school and high school.  Entries will picked up from each campus by February 8^th. Winners will be announced on the Allen Heritage Guild web site on February 13. 

Go to www.allenheritage.org for more information or call 972-727-8985.