One of the most interesting local book stores, Butler Books, has reopened in downtown Rosenberg after a three-year hiatus. Area book lovers will want to check out the eclectic collection of novels, Texana, art books, rock memorabilia and more at this shop.

As you enter Butler Books you are greeted with a gallery space, currently displaying artworks and memorabilia from Jimi Hendrix. Wander through the store and you can browse shelf after shelf of rare, signed, collectible and simply interesting books in all price ranges.

Fans of the previous incarnations of Butler Books (as Butler and Sons) may recall that Bill Butler purchased the stock of Colleen’s Books when Colleen decided to retire and close her book store on Telephone Road in Houston. Colleen’s featured an extensive assortment of books on Texas history and some of those books, along with books from Butler’s collection, can be found in the new store.

Butler Books is located at 900 4th Street in Rosenberg, about 35 miles southwest of downtown Houston, and close by Fort Bend County communities such as Sugar Land and Richmond. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. They can be contacted by phone at 281-344-1753. Want to be notified of upcoming events? Send your email address to bbut@otherwisefine.com.

From Houston, take Highway 59 (the Southwest Freeway) south to the TX-36 exit in Rosenberg. Turn right on First Street, then right on Avenue H. Turn left on to Fourth Street, and Butler Books will be on your left.

You can walk around the grounds and view the 1879 Victorian Era Business Car, a red caboose, and Tower 17, from which towermen controlled the train traffic at the crossing of the Gulf Colorado & Santa Railroad (Santa Fe) and the Galveston Harrisburg & San Antonio Railway Company (Southern Pacific).

Inside, you’ll find exhibits including artifacts from each of the eight railroads that traversed Fort Bend County, a model railroad layout, railroad signaling artifacts, early photographs, maps, and brochures, and railroad advertising. The museum also owns a business railcar built in 1879 which is open for viewing. Guided tours are available.

Rosenberg Railroad Museum
1921 Ave F, Rosenberg, Texas
281-633-2846
http://www.rosenbergrrmuseum.org/

From southwest Houston, take the Southwest Freeway (US 59) south to Rosenberg. Exit at Highway 36 and go north about 1 mile to Avenue I. Turn right on Avenue I and go two blocks to Third Street. Turn left, go two blocks and turn left on Avenue F, just before the railroad tracks. The museum is on the corner of Avenue F and Third Street.