Morgan Jones (1840-1926), a Welsh-born railroad builder, and his nephews Morgan C. (1876-1964) and Percy Jones (1885-1951) built the Abilene & Southern Rail Line in 1909 between Abilene and Ballinger. This stone structure was finished soon after the first train arrived, Sept. 9, 1909. Its design, with octagonal twin towers, was unusual for depots of that era. The railroad did a flourishing passenger and freight business, with passenger service ending in 1941 and freight service in 1966.