About the Knox Gallery
The Benjamin Knox Gallery,
located within the College Station Depot
The Benjamin Knox Gallery is truly a unique and inspirational landmark. You can experience current art exhibits while enjoying a glass of wine, have your special party or event, or children can participate in summer art classes. There is art for everyone to enjoy!
The main gallery houses Benjamin’s original artwork and fine art prints available for sale. The event center features changing art exhibits and is available for special event rental. The Custom Frame shop specializes in framing Benjamin’s artwork and diploma framing, and can help with any framing need. Enjoy the beautiful landscaping on one of our spacious patios or courtyard. Benjamin designed his gallery as an extension of his artwork and love for beauty and history.
The College Station Depot · A Unique Texas Landmark
The main building of the gallery is the rebuilt historic College Station train depot. He designed the adjoining buildings in the same colorful train depot style combined with Texas vernacular stonework. Included on the beautifully landscaped facility grounds is railroad memorabilia, featuring a 1905 antique caboose.
Benjamin Knox was drawn to rebuild the College Station train depot because of its historical significance to Texas A&M and the city. Texas A&M was established in 1876 in the Brazos Valley mainly because of the existing available train service. The original location of the depot marked the main entrance to the campus in front of the Academic Building. The train conductor would yell “All out for the college- College Station!” In 1883 a small Victorian structure was built as a depot, and the Southern Pacific Railroad replaced it with a more prominent building in 1900 (which is what the gallery is modeled after). In 1938 the City of College Station became incorporated and derived its name from the College Station Depot. To add historical significance, the event was held at the depot. The use of the automobile eventually replaced passenger train travel, and by 1958, the College Station Depot was no longer in use. It sat dormant until it was destroyed in 1966 due to the widening of Wellborn Road.
Benjamin’s vision of bringing back the depot became a reality in 2001 after six years of intensive research, dedication, and perseverance. It was dedicated by Texas Governor Rick Perry, State Representative Fred Brown, Texas A&M President Ray Bowen, Mayor Lynn McIlhaney, Margaret Rudder (wife of James Earl Rudder), and other distinguished guests.
