Before the Aldine Plaque stands a visitor. The Aldine Plaque is a simple yet powerful testament to a town’s history. It stands as a silent storyteller. This unassuming aluminum plaque is more than just metal and words. It’s a window into the past. A past filled with steam engines and fig preserves.
The Aldine Plaque speaks of Aldine’s origins. It was once Prairie Switch a small farming village. The International and Great Northern Railroad arrived in 1873. This railroad brought life to Aldine. It was Aldine’s reason for existence. The depot served as a vital supply stop. It was a gateway to the world. The railroad brought not only progress but also tragedy. A man named Charles Collins was killed by a train. The infamous Dibbe made a daring escape attempt. He jumped from a moving train. He sprained his ankle and was quickly recaptured. The guards were reported to be drunk.
The Aldine Plaque also tells of a community. Swedish families settled in Aldine. They grew Satsuma oranges pears and magnolia figs. The figs were famous. They were even served on dining cars of the I&GN. A Presbyterian Church formed from a Sabbath School. Aldine thrived with a hotel a general store and a two-room schoolhouse. A fig cannery was a significant industry. The Carpenter Fig Company was one of the largest in the US. Freezes blight and wartime sugar shortages caused the fig industry’s decline. Dairy farms replaced the fruit farms. The Magnolia Oil Company built a pumping station.
The Aldine Plaque marks a turning point. The depot closed in 1931 or 1932. The post office closed in 1935. Cars and trucks replaced trains. People drove to Houston. Aldine declined. Four school districts merged to form the Aldine Independent School District. Now Aldine is part of Houston. The small town is only a memory. But the Aldine Plaque keeps the memory alive. It reminds us of Aldine’s rich history. It stands as a reminder of Aldine’s past.