Hello! I am conducting research on my step-grandfather, J. W. Gerhardt. He built 24 depots in the region for the Frisco Railroad (per the research I have so far). The only one I have definite information on is the one built in 1921 in Cape Girardeau, MO; it was demolished in 1960. I have seen a postcard of it on this site (sure would love to get a copy of it!), and I am hoping that someone here has knowledge and/or pictures of any of the depots that he built. I found this site via a comment in Fred Lynch's f8 and Be There blog from the Southeast Missourian; it is titled "Frisco Depot after 1944 Flood," and has a great picture of the depot with mud being cleaned up by a grader. Thank you!
Re: Research Try this web site. http://www.missouridepots.com/rail-line-list-pg2.htm#FRISCO He has quite a collection of Missouri railroad stations.
Marisi, Welcome Aboard. Take some time to look through the thread on Cape Girardeau: http://www.frisco.org/vb/showthread.php?1161-Cape-Girardeau-MO and the sub-forum on the River Division: http://www.frisco.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?276-St-Louis-Subdivision I have sent you a PM (Private Message) with more contact information that may be of help. Aside from Fred Lynch's blog, you should also be aware of Ken Steinhoff's excellent www.capecentralhigh.com another blog heavily photo-centric based mostly in the mid - late 60's in the Cape area.
The the digitized Southeast Missourian from March 5, 1921 documents the dedication of the depot. Back in the pre-digital days, Dr. Nickell at SEMO had directed me to the Regional History Archives at Kent Library, where I'd copied this article years ago: http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=Oc-rVwKPngoC&dat=19210305&printsec=frontpage&hl=en It not only documents the grand opening ceremony but it also is very descriptive of the exterior and interior furnishings of the depot. The half-page ad on Page 2 is also a nice example of early 1920s civic pride. Best Regards,
I just checked through one of these links; saw some GREAT pictures! I see I definitely need to contact your uncle; that is how I can get some prints! Does he have the postcards as well? Anyway, I haven't had time to look through all of the links (am still trying to figure this site out and am hesitant to log off!) that you have given. I really appreciate the time you have taken with this. Thank you again!
I possibly sent a previous reply to you by mistake! Anyway--I just checked the story from the Missourian, and have bookmarked it. Thank you for this information, I appreciate the time you took to find this and reply to me!