Coupland dedicates newly restored Depot on June 19

June 19 marked the official Depot Dedication. Coupland Civic Organization President Barbara Piper introduced three long-time Coupland residents, who presented some history of the community and the significance of the Depot. Ruth Thiele spoke of rescuing the Depot, moving it to the center of Coupland, and restoring it as the 1976 Bicentennial project of what was then the Coupland Community Club.

Irene Florida explained the change from the Community Club to the current Civic Organization, which is a non-profit organization. She recounted the beginning of the planning and fundraising for the current restoration during her tenure as CCO president. Loretta Patschke told some entertaining stories of growing up in Coupland, talked about the generations of Coupland families, and discussed the meaning of the Depot. She concluded with a heart-felt plea that current Coupland residents do what they can to preserve the valuable and traditional way-of-life that still exists in the community.

Board member Bradley Nelson demonstrated working crossing lights and bell, from his railroad memorabilia collection, that he has installed in front of the Depot. Attendees enjoyed a barbecue sandwich lunch and seeing the Depot and its collection of artifacts. Mickie Ross brought a display of literature and antique toys from the Williamson Museum. Francis Smith of the Elgin Depot Museum also attended.

Family members of Eldridge and Deanna Tidwell offered rides in their horse-drawn wagon around Coupland. Fire Chief Tracy Gardner displayed some of the latest trucks from the Coupland Volunteer Fire Department.

Personalized paver installation at Coupland Depot

Coupland Civic Organization directors take a break: Seated, left to right, Dottie Hahn, President Barbara Piper, Barbara Franklin. Back row, Ruby Wabbel, Susan Garry, Bradley Nelson.

Hunter Matysek and the parents of Taylor Boy Scout Troop 167.

Hunter Matysek discusses the paver project with CCO paver committee chair Barbara Franklin.

Bradley Nelson and helpers install his working crossing signal in front of the Depot.

Saturday, June 5, was paver installation day in front of the Depot. As part of his work to become an Eagle Scout, Hunter Matysek of Boy Scout Troop 167 of Taylor, took on the project of removing the old sidewalk pavers, cleaning them, leveling the ground, and reinstalling the old pavers, along with the new personalized ones. His fellow scouts, along with parents and siblings, also worked on the project.
The CCO board members provided a lunch for the scouts and their families. Special thanks to Walter Hahn who barbecued the brisket.
Reporter Lauren Chiodo covered the event for the Taylor Daily Press. Her article, along with a color photo of the project, was on the front page of the June 8 issue.
Coupland resident Rebecca Newman and her three sons were all helping with the pavers. Her oldest son Jared, now a junior at A&M, became an Eagle Scout with Troop 167. Jake, 15, and Jordan, 12, are members of the troop. Rebecca explained that many of the parents have science and technology backgrounds, so they are able to teach the scouts to do their projects in a professional manner.
While the scouts were working on the pavers, CCO board member Bradley Nelson installed authentic signal lights and bell at the Depot. The working lights and bell are from his private railroad memorabilia collection.
The redone sidewalk with the new personalized pavers looks great! The paver project will continue as a long-term fundraiser for the Depot facilities. You can still order pavers for a donation of $35 each. Adding a train logo is an additional $10. The sidewalk is designed so that new pavers can be added in the future. To order pavers, please call fundraising chair Barbara Franklin at 856-0039 or CCO President Barbara Piper at 856-2635.

Coupland Civic Organization to hold Depot Dedication on June 19

The Coupland Civic Organization (CCO) will dedicate its newly restored historic Depot on Saturday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Long-time Coupland residents will talk about the history of the Depot and its significance to the community.
Before being moved to the center of the community where it is today, the Depot had been moved from its original location next to the tracks and placed on a farm. Ruth Thiele will speak about the Depot being moved from her uncle’s farm and being restored for the first time in 1976, as Coupland’s project for the United States Bicentennial.
Irene Florida will discuss the beginning of the planning for the current restoration, which took place while she was CCO president. Loretta Patschke will talk about the experience of growing up in Coupland and what the Depot means to the community.
Beginning at 11 a.m., the CCO will host a picnic-style lunch, and the Dedication presentation will begin at noon. The Depot will be open so that residents and visitors can view the CCO’s restoration work and the historic pictures and artifacts that are on display. A horse-drawn wagon will provide rides through the community.
CCO board member Bradley Nelson will demonstrate authentic train-crossing lights and bell that he has installed at the Depot. The lights and bell are from his private railroad memorabilia collection.