ABOVE: An “after” picture of facade work done at the old firehouse building. BELOW: A “before” picture.
Plans to make Oakwood’s old firehouse building at 108 South Scott Street a Kickapoo Rail Trail cafe and bunkhouse stop are continuing, under the watchful eyes of the Trails of the Grand Prairie Board. In fact, board member Steve Hankel says if all goes well, it would be ready in time for the major Kickapoo Rail Trail opening, which is aiming at this point for sometime in 2026.
Hankel says the old firehouse structure, about 300 feet south of the Kickapoo Rail Trail, was first built as a bank building in 1907; and is the only remaining structure from the original Downtown Oakwood of the early 1900s.
AUDIO: It was originally a bank building. After that it changed hands. I think at one time it was a garage or service station of some sort. And it was at one time a police station, and one time a fire house. So it’s served Oakwood in various different roles over the years.
Hankel says they are working on gutting and redoing the inside of the building right now.
AUDIO: Over the years, the front facade got all bricked in. So we wanted to open that up again. And we’ve already got installed a nice window and door system that will retain some of the original glass facade of the building.
Hankel says when all said and done, the Trails of the Grand Prairie Board sees a reborn building where cyclist and hikers along the Kickapoo Rail Trail can “come in, have a cup of coffee, and discuss the problems of the world.” He says the main interior job going on right now is the HVAC system. And they hope to retain some of the “old look of Downtown Oakwood.”
Hankel also mentioned that the bunkhouse will be intended to serve not only trail users, but also folks kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and mountain biking at Kickapoo State Park.
