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Transactions Texas Academy of Science. 
7, 1853, the legislature confirmed this action, instead of requiring Gal- 
veston to be made the southern terminus. The first locomotive was not 
put on till January 22, 1856, when two miles had been constructed. A 
reorganization of the company was effected and the name changed to 
the Houston and Texas Central Bailway by act approved September 1, 
1856. The line was completed to Cypress, 25 miles, by July 27, 1856; 
to Hockley, 35 miles, by May 11, 1857 ; to Hempstead, 50 miles, in 1858 
and by October 1, 1859, 75 miles, were in operation. In 1860 the road 
was extended to Milliean, 80 miles from Houston, when construction was 
suspended on account of the civil war. After the war the work was 
taken up and pushed with energy. Was completed to Bryan, 100 miles, 
in 1867; to Calvert, 130 miles, in 1868; to Corsicana, 210 miles, in 1871 ; 
to McKinney, 296 miles, in 1872, and to the present terminus at Denison, 
by January 1, 1873. 
By an act approved August 30, 1870, the Tl. & T. C. Ry, Co', was 
granted authority to purchase and consolidate with the Washington 
County Railroad from Hempstead to Brenham, and extend the same to 
Austin. Also by an act approved May 24, 1873, it was granted authority 
to acquire the property and franchises of the Waco and Northwestern 
Railroad from Bremond to Waco and extend same northwest in accord- 
ance with provisions of the W. & N. W. R. R. charter. The H. & T. C. Ry. 
passed into the hands of a receiver and was sold September 8, 1888. Was 
reorganized August 1, 1889, under title of the H. & T. C. R. R., which 
included only the main line from Houston to Denison and the Austin 
Branch. The W. & N. W. R. R. (Waco Branch) remained in hands of 
its receiver until by act of the legislature passed in May, 1897, the H. & 
T. C. R. R. was permitted to purchase and consolidate with same. 
TheAustin Branch of the H. & T. C. R. R. was chartered by act ap- 
proved February 2, 1856, from Hempstead to Brenham under name of 
the Washington County Railroad. Work began on this line in 1857, 
and 11 miles were in operation in 1858. The road was open to Brenham, 
25 miles, by October 1, 1860. The Air Line Railroad was chartered 
January 30, 1860, to construct from Brenham to Austin but nothing was 
done. After acquiring the W. C. R. R. in 1870, the H. &. T. C. R. R. 
extended and completed the same to Austin in 1872. 
The Waco Tap Railroad was chartered by act approved November 5, 
1866. Was rechartered under the title of the Waco and Northwestern 
Railroad by act of August 6, 1870, and completed from Bremond to 
Waco in 1872. Was operated as a part of the H. & T. C. Ry. till 1884, 
when the latter passed into the receiver’s hands. A seperate receiver 
was accorded the W. & N. W. R. R., which was purchased by the H. & 
T. C. R. R., as above stated, in 1897, and is at present a part of that 
system. 
