The Story of Llano's Railway Heritage

The Llano River Railroad was built in 1891-1892, connecting Llano to the rest of the world and providing ample opportunities for commerce and growth. At the time of construction, the only metal bridge crossing was over the Colorado River, with all other creek crossings being made using trestles. However, during the 1930s, several steel truss bridges were relocated from other parts of the Southern Pacific rail system to upgrade the trestles.

The discovery of valuable minerals in the Llano Uplift sparked the construction of the Llano River Railroad and brought about a rush of excitement and potential wealth. Investors, speculators, and prospectors from Austin flocked to Llano in hopes of striking it rich. Although it was eventually determined that the deposits weren't quite as bountiful as originally hoped, Llano still made a name for itself as a wild and lively place. With shootouts in the streets and plenty of saloons, gambling dens, and other establishments, Llano was truly a town that lived up to the classic Wild West reputation. Despite this, the railroad continued to play a crucial role in the growth of the town, providing a means of transportation for essential goods and local products such as cattle, cotton, pecans, and granite.

Over time, the use of the Llano River Railroad decreased as motor vehicles became the preferred method of transportation. The last passenger train left Llano in 1936, and freight traffic continued until 1981. Despite attempts to restore the line for excursions, it has been inactive for nearly two decades. For those interested in delving deeper into the history of the Llano River Railroad, check out the Llano Railroad Museum.