68 
Transactions Texas Academy of Science. 
February 7, 1853. Construction began at Virginia Point March 1, 1854, 
and in three years the line was in 'operation to Harrisburg, 40 miles. 
The construction of the Galveston Bay bridge delayed the company and 
to aid in its building the city of Galveston on May 19, 1857, authorized 
the issuance of $100,000 in bonds. These were to be given to the rail- 
road company, who were to pay interest on and provide a sinking fund for 
same. After retirement of the bonds the bridge was to become the 
property of the railroad company. The bridge was constructed and the 
line opened up from Houston to Galveston in 1860. 
The G. H. & H. R. R. leases joint track privileges to the International 
and. Great Northern Railroad and to the Missouri, Kansas and Texas 
Railway from Houston to Galveston. Its gross earnings per mile for 
year ending June 30, 1899, were $8,379 per mile and it is regarded as 
the most valuable railroad property in the state. It received from the 
state 610,560 acres of land as donation. 
Houston Tap and Brazoria Railroad. — The Houston. Tap Railroad was 
built by the city of Houston, from Houston to Pierce Junction, in 1856, 
to connect Houston with the B. B. B. & C. Ry. It was sold to the 
Houston Tap and Brazoria Railroad Company, which was organized 
under act approved September 1, 1856, and extended to Columbia on 
the Brazos river, 50 miles from Houston, by 1861. The Id. T. & B. R. 
R. was sold under foreclosure by the state on February 15, 1871, for non- 
payment of interest on money lonaed it from the public school fund and 
was purchased by the Houston and Great Northern Railroad Company 
and consolidated with the same by act of May 8, 1873. At present it 
forms a part of the International and Great Northern Railroad system, 
the successor of the II. & G. N. R. R. 
Gulf, Western Texas and Pacific Railway. — This line is the result of 
the consolidation of the San Antonio and Mexican Gulf Railroad and 
the Indianola Railroad. 
The S. A. & M. G. R. R. was chartered under provisions of an act ap- 
proved September 5, 1850, from Port Lavaca to San Antonio. Grading 
began at Port Lavaca in 1856 and by January 1, 1858, 5 miles were re- 
ported as completed. 
The Indianola Railroad was chartered under act approved January 21, 
1858, from the rival port of Indianola, a few miles south of Port Lavaca, 
north via Gonzales and Austin, to intersect with the Southern Pacific 
Railway (now the T. & P. Ry.). It was graded a few miles and in 1860 
was taken over by the S. .A& M. G. Ry. Co. 
'The S. A. & M. G. Ry. was open for traffic in April, 1861, from Port 
Lavaca to Victoria, 28 miles. It was destroyed by order of General 
Magruder in December, 1863, and falling into the hands of the Federals 
was rebuilt by them in 1865-66. Was sold by the Federal government 
t 
