2020-6 Remembrances Special Edition1
City of Schertz
Remembrances Special Edition 2020-6
Prepared by: Schertz Historical Preservation Committee
FM 78 Railroad Caboose Celebrates Early Railroad History
The railroad caboose representing the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio (GH&SA)
Railroad Line that sets aside the newly renovated Guadalupe County Service Building at 1052
FM 78, has recently undergone interior refurbishing and historic décor treatments. Those
upgrades make this iconic vehicle a special community treasure and a lasting reminder of the
railroad’s importance to the economic and social prosperity of Guadalupe County and Schertz,
Texas. A before restoration and after view of the caboose’s interior tells the tale of how
significant and restorative the conversion/restoration project entailed.
Caboose Interior Before Restoration
Caboose Interior After Restoration
The interior décor and artifacts are reminders of many different aspects of railroad
history. A few of the artifacts and/or photos on display include the following:
GH&SA contributions to promotion of immigration to westerm Guadalupe
County; Schertz railroad history and trestle demolishing; Railroad workmen’s
contributions; Ceremony at Promontory Point, UT for completion of the
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Transcontinental Railway and the Golden Spike display; furnishings (desk,
table, chairs, etc.); displays titled Home Away From Home, Iron Horse
Railroad Engine; Jim Beam Ceremonial Decanter Steam Engin; miniature
replica of iron wood stove, etc. Below are samplings of displays and artifacts
contained inside the caboose.
Photo Schertz Trestle Bridge (1877) Flags of France, Germany & Texas GH&SA Flyers
“Railroad Comes to Schertz” Sam the Railroad Man Photo of Railroad Workers
“Golden Spike” display Photo of Race of the Iron Horse
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Hallway enclosed miniature displays of “Home Away From Home” & “Cook Stove”
The Guadalupe Commissioners Court financed and supervised the restoration of the
caboose and the Cibolo Valley Community Museum Association (CVCMA) furnished
the artifacts and décor for the interior. County Commissioner Jim Wolverton led the
movement to restore and repurpose the caboose.
The Schertz Historical Preservation Committee (SHPC) has collaborated with Schertz
volunteer Ray Gutierrez for the production of a video of the interior of the caboose,
which eventually can be viewed on the Schertz website (under Historical Preservation
-Videos).