Texarkana's historic train station is just a plain eyesore, the grand lady has fallen into disrepair
December 24, 2025 - TRA Newswire -
Built in 1930 in the renaissance style, the historic Union Train Station that straddles two cities in two states has fallen into disrepair and has been a stagnant blight in downtown Texarkana, Texas and Texarkana, Arkansas for years.
While other cities have repurposed their grand old train stations into showplaces for transportation, culture and business, Texarkana station is a reminder of what results when apathy is in charge for years. The property is in private hands.
TRA reported in July 2024 that the twin cities agreed to plan renovations of the grand structure, but there is no word on when or how that will progress. A search of the Texarkana Gazette and regional TV station's news websites show no updates in over a year.
Trains still do stop in Texarkana. The daily Amtrak Texas Eagle arrives usually before sunrise on its southbound run to San Antonio and the northbound train to Chicago makes a brief stop in the evening's twilight hours.
Texas Rail Advocates received an email from "Charles", who lives in the Texarkana area and he reported that Amtrak used to lease a small outdoor space. "The station building itself has been locked for maybe 2 years, that's when they (Amtrak) set-up a very tiny portable shack for an attendant to set down in and a porta-potty", according to Charles. "The last couple of times we got on the train, both of those had been removed."
In 2024, conditions deteriorated to the point that Amtrak, which leased space for its ticket agent and waiting room inside the building, has had to vacate its space because of mold and deterioration. A temporary hut outside the building housed the functions for the passenger operator, making it seem like the station operated out of a shipping container than a former majestic building.
Passengers must now wait out in the open and brave the elements. Amtrak no longer has an agent on duty at the Texarkana stop to sell tickets or give information. According to Amtrak statistics for fiscal year 2024, some 6,160 passengers rode the Texas Eagle at the twin-cities stop, considerably up from 5,293 riders in 2023.
Safety and security are concerns around the station platform. "It's very dark, when you get off the train this time of year, a person really needs a flashlight to see where they're stepping. It's very sad because there is usually several folks getting off and on, more of late than a few years ago", according to Charles.
Charles fears that because the train can run late, it makes him think that Amtrak might close the Texarkana stop completely and refer passengers to the station in Marshall, Texas or Hope, Arkansas.
Screenshots of the inside of the Texarkana train station were documented in a Youtube video by free4all.
In 2024 both the Texarkana, Arkansas and Texarkana, Texas city governments approved a pact to redevelop the historic landmark and were to contribute toward the joint redevelopment effort. They had hoped to seek federal and state grants, but there has not been an update on progress.
Union Station's importance to the region is significant as it was the focus point on the state line between Arkansas and Texas when railways created the city. The renovation would be a major step in revitalization efforts of the twin downtowns.
The Great American Stations page on Texarkana Union Station does point out that in 2023 community members did complete some efforts to dress up the outside area.
On May 12, 1930, the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce sponsored a cornerstone laying celebration. A chamber spokesperson stated that the completion of Union Station was “one of the most momentous events in the history of the city.” The imposing 44,000-square foot station features three large, arched windows flanked by decorative columns highlight its north façade. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
The Union Station building was purchased in 2003 by Jeff Sandefur, who runs a local property management concern and is the landlord. Sandefur was shown as a Past-President of the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce, according to KSLA-TV. The building is one of just a few privately owned active train stations in the country. The western portion of the station has been repurposed as a prison facility with fencing and barbed wire, drawing stares from passengers on the train as it arrives at the station platform. It's a truly unique train stop.
According to the Texarkana Gazette newspaper, in 2021, for the first time in more than 20 years, the Union Station in downtown Texarkana might be given a chance at a new life. The Arkansas-side Board of Directors agreed in a 4-2 vote to green-light a $200,000 contribution to help the city of Texarkana, Texas, buy the vintage train station.
Negotiations have stalled since 2021, according to reports, with the landlord asking more for the property than the local entities are able to cobble together.