LCRA awards $23,100 grant to help restore historic Bronte Depot to mint condition
Grant will help Coke County Historical Commission open a local museum in historic landmark
Nov. 20, 2025
LCRA representatives present a $23,100 grant to the Coke County Historical Commission – Bronte Depot Preservation Project for renovations to the Bronte Depot. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Grants program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Cooper Hogg, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Patricia Martindale, CCHC and BDPP member; Paul “Buzz” Gohman, Bronte mayor; Jeane Lee, Bronte Depot supporter; Cyndi Carlton, BDPP member; Brenda Hines, CCHC and BDPP member; Cynthia Robinson, CCHC member and BDPP co-chair; Henry “Butch” Chisholm, Coke County commissioner, Precinct 2; Carol Freeman, LCRA Board member; Darla Chisholm, BDPP member; Danny Webb, Coke County commissioner, Precinct 4; Linda Scott, CCHC member and BDPP co-chair; Jim Rodriguez and Teresa Swecker, BDPP members; David Scott, Bronte City Council member; Deborah Bailey, BDPP member; and Mike Bailey, Bronte mayor pro tem.
BRONTE, Texas – The Coke County Historical Commission soon will repair and restore the historic Bronte Depot as it works toward opening a small museum to preserve Bronte’s past, thanks to a $23,100 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The community grant, along with $6,725 in matching funds from the commission, will fund restoration of the depot’s exterior stone, interior walls, windows and doors. The project will preserve the integrity of the historic structure while improving safety and accessibility for visitors.
“We are working to restore the Bronte Depot to its original condition, starting with repairing the stone that has deteriorated over the years,” said Linda Scott, Bronte Depot Preservation Project co-chair and member of the Coke County Historical Commission.
The commission plans for the building to house a museum and community meeting place, as well as a site for county and city governmental meetings. Once renovated, the depot also will be able to serve as an emergency shelter, if needed.
“Our hope is to create a small museum in the front of the depot and eventually add a kitchen and gathering space in the back of the old freight room so the community can enjoy this historic building once again,” Scott said. “We are so excited about the progress and about how this project will create more opportunities for our community to gather.”
The depot was built by local stonemason James C. Lammers and was completed in 1911, two years after the first train arrived in Bronte. The depot was built with materials quarried locally.
This is one of 41 grants awarded recently through LCRA Community Grants. These grants are awarded twice a year as part of LCRA’s effort to give back to communities in its wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.
About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations.
Social Media