To cap off this year’s Spring Ho festivities, the Lampasas Depot Foundation will open the historic Santa Fe Depot to the public for the first time in years. Its “All Aboard the 1904” event will take place July 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Lampasas Depot Foundation is a nonprofit organization tasked with bringing the property back to life. Nonprofit member Andy Fish, who owns the adjacent Keystone Star Hotel, believes this event will be one Lampasans don’t want to miss.
“Most of the people in Lampasas have never been in the depot,” Fish said. “The depot building itself, the freight portion will be set up as a bar, and the passenger part, we are bringing in some items out of the museum to show rail museum-type things.”
Visitors can tour the passenger section of the depot, view a new collection of 320 model rail cars, and learn about future plans that include an EMD F7 locomotive and dining cars on site. The goal is to eventually make the depot a major Central Texas attraction.
On the freight side, Saloon 37 will operate the Loading Dock Saloon, serving beer and wine. Non-alcoholic drinks also will be available. Food vendors will include barbecue courtesy of Fritz Cox, Bush’s Chicken, gourmet pizza and more. The Texas Elderly Brothers will provide live music throughout the afternoon.
Families are encouraged to attend. Children’s activities will include a miniature Thomas the Tank Engine ride and a bouncy house.
“The event is family-oriented because the finished depot project is going to be an attraction for kids of all ages,” Fish said. “We want people to bring the whole family.”
The event is free to attend. Food and drinks will be available for purchase separately.
