Danforth, Cooke & Co. built the Texas locomotive in New Jersey in 1856.
The Texas locomotive is best known for its role as the “hero” locomotive of the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862. Since then, it has been a symbol of Atlanta.
The Texas remained in service until the early years of the 20th century. However, by 1907, the locomotive was in bad shape, and the Atlanta Georgian and News launched a campaign to save the locomotive.
On February 17, 1908, the railroad donated the locomotive to the city of Atlanta. In about 1911, the locomotive was placed on display in Atlanta’s Grant Park.
In 1927, the city moved the locomotive to the basement of the Cyclorama building. The building was also home to an 1886 painting depicting the Battle of Atlanta.
In an odd twist, workers moving the locomotive left it overnight on South Boulevard. An Ohio motorist crashed into it while it was sitting in the street.
The Texas remained in Grant Park until December 2015, when it was removed to restore it to its 1880s appearance. It was later placed on display at the Atlanta History Center in Atlanta’s Buckhead community.
The locomotive is displayed alongside another Western & Atlanta landmark: Zero Milepost.
