No longer in existence it was located in the 300 block on South Joplin Street. At one time there were 7 different railroads in Pittsburg. It is said that there was never a bank robbery in Pittsburg in those early days because of all the railroads going in every direction. There was telegraph lines along every line so the word could go out easily even if they cut one line another could get the word out. Date of this article was not preserved with this clipping. Railroad network vital to city's industrial growth. A network of railroads has played an important role in the development of Pittsburg. From the earliest days, Pittsburg has been the hub of rail systems that have been a great help to the growing city in the world of transportation. It was the railroad that made possible the mining of coal in the Southeast Kansas field in large commercial quantities, made Pittsburg prominent in the zinc smelting world for some years and finally made possible the growth of a diversified industrial community here. A wide variety of names designated the early rail lines, names seldom if ever remembered these days, but they finally were consolidated into the four major railroads that now serve Pittsburg - the Frisco (actually the first upon the Pittsburg scene), the Santa Fe, Missouri, Pacific and the Kansas City Southern. The Frisco claims to be the first railroad in Pittsburg, through the purchase in 1879 of the Joplin Railway Co. on which line the city was laid out in 1876. The present St. Louis and San Francisco line is a conglomeration of independent lines that crisscrossed the district in the early years. The present Santa Fe and Missouri Pacific lines arrived in the city almost simultaneously in 1886. they were known as the Southern Kansas and the Nevada and Minden lines, respectively. And the present Kansas City Southern railroad reached Pittsburg in 1893. None of these rail lines now carry passengers, but they continue their highly important role as freight carriers. And the Frisco which ran a line from Joplin to Girard to connect with the railroad's main line through the county seat now has discontinued service between Pittsburg and Girard, but it has connections through Cherokee through which the main line passes. It is common knowledge that Pittsburg was established almost accidentally as a depot point on the Joplin Railway Co. line in 1876 to satisfy the demands of Baker Township settlers for a stopping point on the new line between Girard and Joplin. The line was promoted by Franklin Playter, Pittsburg, E. R. Moffett and John b. Sergeant, both of Joplin, to bring zinc of the Joplin area and coal of the Pittsburg area together. The Missouri River, Fort Scott and Gulf, which ran through Girard, Cherokee and Baxter Springs, bought out the line in 1879. Later, the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Memphis line, a rival, was induced to bring a line into Pittsburg to eliminate the Gulf's transportation monopoly which was wrecking the independent coal operators of that day. The Memphis line brought a narrow gauge line down from Arcadia through Pittsburg to Cherokee. It later was made standard gauge and was purchased by the Gulf line in 1882. The Gulf made an extension to Weir from Pittsburg in 1887. The Gulf, Memphis and Cherryvale lines were all consolidated into the Frisco network in 1890. And the first Frisco depot was located on the southeast corner of Second and Broadway; the second near Fourth and Locust, later used by the Santa Fe with the site still later to be occupied by the Frisco freight house, and the third on the northwest corner of Second and Broadway where the Camp '76 now stands. The Frisco also maintained a roundhouse here for many years.
Pittsburg KS. City park site pavilion with replica depot like architecture. The depot and locomotive scene mural is on the tan building near the playground equipment in the distance in the first photograph. The tan building houses the park restrooms. The mural is on the building's south wall. For what it is worth, the Kansas City Southern (KCS) shop complex and yards have been condemned. They may be torn down there soon, according to some locals.
Indeed the KCS shops were torn down in 2010. Shot looking north. Looking south off the East 21st Street overpass.
Photos of Frisco's Freight Depot on East 4th Street (Hwy 126) between Locust and Elm. Taken 2009. Close up of Depot Sign on side of building Frisco Freight Depot Building Street side loading docks on 4th Street Close up of Loading Dock Doors Railroad side loading doors. Rails have been removed.
Pittsburg, KS. "Frisco System" Railway passenger depot. In the distance note the Frisco freight house. Year not known. Year not known.
The Sanborn map shows the depot complex being along 2nd between Pine and Broadway, and a check on Google Maps shows that might be right. But now the freight depot is setting on 4th between Locus and Elm. Anyone have a story on that? Looking at trackage maybe KCS moved it up and used it off that spur that is still partially there.
I am looking for a higher resolution photograph of the Frisco Railway passenger train depot in the 1950s. Can anyone help?
Pittsburg, KS. Please see the following link to multiple photographs and Sanborn maps. http://www.pittsburgksmemories.com/...fsZN852wmH_9XiacVlpOipqhwPJeeBCUYK_22fguBXkAk
Pittsburg, KS depot. View of crowds around the depot during WWI. View looking east northeast. Kansas Railfans and Railroads Facebook. Photograph from Charles Wells.
