The Springfield News-Leader website recently started a feature with old photos of the area, showing "before and after" pictures ("History Revealed"). One series shows the dam at Lake Springfield being constructed. In the distance is a trestle that would now be underwater. My question: is this the Frisco spur that now runs besides the lake and leads to the power plant? Or is it an old road that was relocated because of the lake construction? Not sure about reproducing the image on this forum, but it is easily found by going to the paper's website (it's image #16): http://php.news-leader.com/beforeafter/?image=16 Any information would be appreciated!
Wait until John Sanders sees this post, he's the expert on that line (formerly the Ozark Branch and AKA the "Chadwick Line" before that). Tom G.
Thanks for posting the web site. BTW, Image 44 shows the then and now at the depot in Springfield....likewise 47 is an aerial shot of MK Jct It's a road that crosses section 20 to the "community" of Gates.
I saw that old map as well; I thought it might be the current (non-RR) road's original route. Back then, it obviously went around the big cut in the rock that is there now on one side of the dam. Just thought there might be an outside chance the Frisco spur was rerouted to build the lake. Still seems like a pretty big bridge for such a small road.
Image 9 shows the old passenger main where the Lilly tulip spur left the line. Also, image 11 is another depot view. Paul
I believe the image 44 "before" scene is the crowd awaiting President Truman's visit of July 5th, 1948. The day he dedicated a statue of the South American liberator Simon Bolivar at the town of Bolivar. Tom G.
