Four Railcars Opened a Wartime Depot on the Ship Channel

The Army chose 4,954 acres by the Ship Channel for the San Jacinto Ordnance Depot. Port leaders worried about putting ammunition near plants and shipyards. The first officer arrived in November 1941. On June 1, 1942, four railcars brought the first load.

Crews checked, stored, and fixed ammunition before it moved through Houston or New Orleans. The first private ship loaded there in September 1944. By the end of 1945, the depot had received 329 million pounds and shipped 208 million. Railcars, docks, and ships tied this Harris County shore to the war overseas.