Texas Porch

History / Railroad

Palestine Is a Terminus of the Texas State Railroad

The Texas State Railroad runs between Palestine and Rusk on a historic route originally built by the state prison system in the late 1800s — today it operates as a steam excursion railroad.

Anderson County History & Culture

Palestine is the eastern end of the Texas State Railroad. The line started in the 1890s. The state prison system built it to haul timber from state land near Rusk. Later the state let it carry regular passengers. Trains from Palestine to Rusk were running by the early 1900s.

Today it is a tourist train. Rides are steam-powered. The trip through the Piney Woods between Palestine and Rusk is about 25 miles one way. Since 2007, the Texas State Railroad Authority has leased the line to private operators. Those have included American Heritage Railways, Iowa Pacific Holdings, Western Group of Utah, and Jaguar Transport Holdings. It is not part of Texas Parks and Wildlife.

The Palestine depot is at 789 Park Road 70, Palestine, TX 75801. Schedules and fares change by season. Check the calendar and buy tickets ahead at texasstaterailroad.net. The TSHA Handbook of Texas has the full history of the line.

Source to confirm: Texas State Railroad — Official Site

More Anderson County notes

Property tax

Two Offices Handle Your Property Taxes in Anderson County

The Anderson County Appraisal District sets property values, and a separate Tax Assessor-Collector office handles billing and payment — both are in Palestine.

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Property tax / Homestead

Claim a Homestead Exemption to Lower Your Tax Bill

If Anderson County is your primary home, a homestead exemption cuts at least $140,000 from your appraised value for school taxes. You file once with the appraisal district.

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Agricultural appraisal

Farm and Ranch Land Can Be Taxed on Productivity, Not Market Value

Landowners who farm, ranch, or manage timber in Anderson County can apply for special appraisal based on what the land produces, not what it would sell for. This often means a much lower tax bill.

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Water / Wells

A Groundwater District Regulates Water Wells in Anderson County

Anderson County is covered by the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District. This district covers Anderson, Cherokee, and Henderson counties and handles water well permits.

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