5/23/96: Frisco's Springfield History

Doug Hughes responded to a reader of the web page who requested information about the history of the Frisco in Springfield. Here is response:

Your request was forwarded to me, even though I'm a model railroader and not a historian. There is a book, which was really a dissertation from the University of Kansas, that documents the history of the railroad up until about 1900. It is by H. Craig Miner, "The St Louis - San Francisco Transcontinental Railroad, The Thirty-fifth Parallel Project, 1853-1890." The copyright is 1972 and LofC Catalog Car Number is 76-163197.

The early history of the railroads (about 144 different ones) that eventually made up the Frisco is tough to research. Ron Williams of Springfield published an article in the National Model Railroad Association's house newsletter THE BULLETIN a few years ago that gave an excellent block diagram showing all the merged roads. I've CCed Ron on this e-mail.

The road from St. Louis had several different names, but it was called the South Pacific when it reached Springfield. Another road was building south from Kansas City toward Memphis. I think it was called the Springfield & Western MO RR Co. or something like that, but it became the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis. It is the one that built through the downtown area of Springfield.

The South Pacific wanted to start its own town, so it built through the north Springfield area that is now bordered by Commercial Street. From pp 71-72 of Miner's book: "By September 28 (1869), the company had sold all seventy of its house lots at Lebanon and forty-six houses and stores were in the process of construction on the site. Hayes estimated $100,000 profit from these lots, all of which were located on the prairie west of the old town of Lebanon.

Buildings were being rapidly removed from the old town to the "railroad addition," much to the chagrin of some residents no doubt; the scheme had the marks of another Jerome City. Hayes, however, stated that 'People are entirely satisfied - more than that - are delighted with what has been done.' "A large baggage car was attached to the Lebanon excursion train with 'a full supply of wines and edibles, cigars &c,' and when the first engine chugged into the new Lebanon town square Mrs. M. S. Beckwith was there representing the ladies of the town. She presented the engineer with an American flag, with the wish that 'success attend you and the noble Lebanon until you have borne this Star-Spangled Banner to the coast.'

The road between the Gasconade and Lebanon had been built for $16,000 a mile. However, one mile cost $41,000, and the engineers hoped for easier going to the west. The grade was smoother around Springfield, but public relations were rougher. The arrival of the first train in Springfield on May 5, 1870, was greeted by cheers and the firing of cannon, even though the day was marred for lack of proper arrangement for carriages to meet the ladies. Nine speeches were well received.

The company, however, had made enemies in its push to Springfield. In building from Arlington, where (Gen John C.) Fremont left off, to Springfield, the South Pacific had created thirteen new towns and kept twelve thousand men at work. At Springfield the new railroad town where the company erected a hotel and depot was over a mile to the north of the old one.

The South Pacific had been induced to build to the North Springfield tract of land by a group of speculators who promised forty acres for shops and a half interest in the town site for the railroad company. Peirce told a group of Springfield citizens that he would bring the railroad through their town for $25,000. They in turn argued that the charter called for the railroad to run through Springfield, not north of it, and that no bonus was necessary. Peirce at that jumped up and said, 'I'll show you very soon where I'll build.' Shortly thereafter the Ozark Land Company was formed with Peirce as president to sell lots in North Springfield. The new town and the old town feuded until 1887 when they were finally consolidated. Up and down the line, it was the same. Peirce City citizens became so disgusted with the Peirce City Real Estate Company that the town eventually changed its spelling to Pierce city to avoid association with the founder.

Miner's book was out of print for several years, however a good library should have a copy. I think the Frisco Museum in Springfield might also have copies. Keep me informed of your research efforts. It sounds like things where hot and heavy in Springfield and N. Springfield in the 1870s.