Page 225 - Grapevine Budget FY21

Historic Preservation

Preservation of Grapevine's historic character - its commercial buildings,
residences and cultural sites dating back to the mid-1800s - strengthens
the appreciation for our heritage and gives Grapevine a sense of place and
distinctiveness few other cities in the area can claim. Restoration and
revitalization of Grapevine's historic heart is well underway.

Much of the downtown Grapevine's Main Street is listed in the National
Register of Historic Places, as is the Cotton Belt Railroad historic District,
where the restored 1901 Cotton Belt Depot and 1888 Section Foreman's
House anchor the Grapevine Heritage Center complex. History lives on at the center, where a
working blacksmith, boot maker and other heritage artisans demonstrate their century-old crafts
for visitors and Grapevine area school children as part of a broad heritage education curriculum.
The Grapevine Historical Museum tells the town's story in the Depot, where visitors also embark
daily on the 1896 Tarantula Steam Excursion Train to Fort Worth's Stockyards National Historic
District.

The city's Historic Preservation Commission and the Township Revitalization Project offer
homeowners in the old township historic area and business owners in the historic Main Street
area, design and restoration assistance to help protect the architectural interest and value of their
properties. A designated Texas Main Street City since 1983, Grapevine is protecting and
developing its singular quality of life for today's residents and as a legacy for future generations.

Grapevine Vintage Railroad

The Grapevine Vintage Railroad travels along the historic Cotton
Belt Route between Grapevine and the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Our Steam and Diesel engines pull excursion trains drawn from
four passenger coaches and two touring coaches. These beautiful
coaches date back to the 1920's. We invite you to experience the
true essence of rail travel as it was at the turn of the century.
The railroad's Steam Locomotive No. 2248, affectionately known
as Puffy, is a product of the Cooke Locomotive Works of Paterson,
NJ. Built in 1896, #2248 was called a "heavy mountain-class"
locomotive as indicated on the original Cooke drawings. In 1990,
#2248 was purchased by the Fort Worth and Western Railroad and
was fully restored at the 8th Avenue Yard in Fort Worth. Puffy was
placed in service in January 1992 and is the only operational steam
locomotive in Texas that dates from the 19th century.

Passenger Coaches - The Grapevine Vintage Railroad's four 1925 day coaches were purchased
from the Strasburg Railroad in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. The décor of the day coaches dates to
1908 with new upholstery, wooden doors and trim, light fixtures, brass appointments, art glass
clerestory windows and window shades. These passenger cars are the only coaches operating in
Texas with 19th century ambiance.

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