Depot Square Historic District

Depot Square is a railroad-side commercial district in the far northeast corner of downtown Wichita Falls, Texas. It covers parts of seven blocks next to the Ft. Worth & Denver and Katy tracks. Most of its buildings went up between 1885 and 1925 and are one- and two-story brick commercial blocks built to the sidewalk line, with ornament mostly limited to parapets. A few carry more elaborate detailing, including the Holt Hotel, the Kemp Wholesale building and the Route Building. The oldest brick building dates to 1885. Uses over time included livery stables, saloons, hotels, groceries, wholesale houses, garages, an ice factory and oil-field supply companies, reflecting the settlement, railroad and oil boom periods. Thirty-one of the forty buildings contribute to the district's character. It was recognized for its role in the city's commerce and community development between 1885 and 1953, as the core railroad-related business area of a regional center. Today the buildings house shops, restaurants, a theater and apartments.