Buddy Holly Center

The building that houses the Buddy Holly Center has seen many changes throughout its seventy year history. First built as a train depot for the Fort Worth and Denver South Plains Railroad it has been a warehouse, salvage yard and restaurant. The City of Lubbock purchased the building and it is on the National Register of Historic Places. The brick building with the paved platform and elevated wooden platform has been renovated, expanded and restored to its former glory. It has become a part of the Depot District that promotes art and music.

The wooden freight platform has been restored and on the west side visitors can still see the clay tile roof, brick walls and limestone detailing that once made this building a star among train depots. There is a brick paved courtyard where the trains once waited to be put into use. On the east side of the platform a new addition has been built. This houses the lobby, Buddy Holly memorabilia and other exhibits as well as other spaces.

Guests will see that the Buddy Holly gallery is shaped like a guitar. It has curving cherry wood exhibit cases on three sides and a glossy black display wall on the fourth wall. Guests that visit the north side of the depot will find offices and a gift shop. There is a ramp that provides a connection between the two wings. Windows open to the courtyard on the south side and unframed glass sheets allow guests to see into the gift shop and provide a multitude of light in.

Buddy Holly's gallery is a permanent exhibit that shows visitors his life in music and as a child growing up. Some of the artifacts are owned by the City of Lubbock while others are just being loaned to the exhibit. Things that are part of Buddy Holly's gallery include his famed Fender Stratocaster guitar, songbook that was part of the Buddy Holly and the Crickets repertoire and some of his clothing. There are many photographs, recording contracts, Holly's glasses, itineraries of his tours, homework assignments and even his report cards. Buddy Holly had an extensive collection of 45 r.p.m. records that are part of the display as is the guitar strap that was custom made by Buddy Holly. There is a timeline of his life and an audio visual presentation.

The Buddy Holly Center is closed on Monday, open from10:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday and open Sunday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Admission is five dollars for adults, senior citizens aged sixty and over are three dollars, children 7-17 are two dollars and students with an ID are two dollars. Children under the age of six are free and so are members. Active Military personnel in uniform will also be admitted for free. The other exhibitions and galleries are free unless otherwise noted. The facility can be rented for special events, receptions and business meetings. The Buddy Holly Gallery, Fine Arts Gallery and the Texas Musicians Hall of Fame are the areas available for rent.