Greater Anna Chamber of Commerce 2022

ANNA’S RICH HISTORY

What was it like to live in Anna, Texas in the early days, when life was simple? The Anna Depot and Museum is a place where history comes to life; a place where you can experi ence what life was like in that simpler time. The Anna Depot and Museum is operated by the Anna Area Historical Preservation Society (AAHPS). It serves as your source for local his torical preservation and education of our rich heritage. AAHPS was established on February 12, 2004, to encourage the preservation of historical, cultural, ethnic, and artistic places, things, and events in Anna and the surround ing area. AAHPS aspires to carefully research, document and preserve the history of area homes, businesses, churches, cemeteries, and so much more. It is well known that many small towns owe their existence to the advent of the train. This is so true of Anna. The Houston and Texas Central Railroad came through what eventu ally became Anna in 1872. By 1883, twenty families had settled in Anna and, the Depot was built in 1885. For many years, the Depot saw an abundance of Johnson grass and large bales of cotton cross its threshold. Because of the railroad and the depot, Anna had a new spurt of growth; it is the Spark That Ignited the Town of Anna. The railroadclosed thedepot in themid-1950s. For a number of years, it remained abandoned in its original spot on the west side of the track near the downtown crossing. Several years

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