Springfield, MO - Three (3) Depot Sites - N Benton Ave, E Phelp Avenue (2 SLSF), N Main St (KCFS&M)

I have believed, until now, that the Frisco and its antecedent roads served the city of Springfield with two station sites.

The Frisco had its North Springfield station on North Benton, while the Memphis Road had its station at intersection of Main Street and Mill Street. In a very brief reiteration of history, North Springfield and Springfield merged as did the Frisco and the Memphis Road.

Ultimately, passenger operations were moved to the Main Street at Mill Street location, and the North Springfield Station was razed.

While perusing a set of 1896 Sanborn maps, I noticed a second Frisco station at Phelps Street and Jefferson Street.

Anyone know anything further?

 

I knew the North Springfield station was somewhere between the CTC building the Frisco Museum once occupied and the footbridge over the north yard. Those Sanborn maps certainly pinpoint the location.

As to the other Depot, I notice on the closeup drawings, the site is marked as both a freight house and a passenger depot, could it be that it was built by one of the other Frisco predicessors that made it to Springfield (I know, which one)?

Part of the site of the second Frisco station sat on currently contains the remnants of a team track. One of these days I'm going to build a model of it (I have enough pictures now).

Paul

 

So when was the last passenger train on the Frisco rans out of Springfield?

 

see http://www.frisco.org/shipit/index.php?threads/last-passenger-on-the-road.1360/

 

Was just looking at the map on the top left, the one with the passenger stations on it.

What is the CH&S RR that veers east off of the East Belt Line?

Never heard of this railroad, and where did it go?

 

The Chicago, Hannibal, & Springfield (CH&S) Railroad, was surveyed from Chicago, IL to Hannibal, MO and then Southwest to Springfield. An original projection had the route passing through the towns of Pleasant Hope and Fair Play and then to Springfield.

In 1887, the proposed route through these towns was abandoned in favor of one going through Buffalo, MO. Evidently, the promoters of this route hoped to gain the interest of the Alton, the Burlington, the Rock Island, or the Missouri Pacific.

It was never built.

 

Karl I am as bewildered as you.

The only reference in the Sanborn maps I found was that the mystery station was frame and the North Benton station was brick. I looked from 1886 to 1910, it popped up as a St.L.&S.F. Station and remained part of their yards on E. Phelps through 1933.

Attached 1886, 1891, 1896, 1902, 1910, & 1933 Sanborn Maps of the area

I hope someone can find a photo or more info.

Take care, RRG65

 

It all makes sense to me now.

Eight years ago while perusing a Springfield Sanborn map, I noticed that the map showed a second St Louis and San Francisco station with freight house at Phelps and Jefferson. The Frisco served Springfield (north) by means of it's station, which was located at North Benton and Commercial. The purpose of the second station was a mystery.

http://www.frisco.org/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=4289&d=1164942152

Recently, I have conducting a bit of research about the demise of the Chadwick Branch, and I discovered John Dill's post of SL&SF ETT 7, 4/24/1898.

https://www.frisco.org/shipit/index...rr-time-table-no-7-sunday-april-24-1898.5980/

That ETT held the answer. "Phelps", MP 240.8, was the Frisco's "suburban" station on the south side. The Chadwick Branch's daily mixed called on Phelps on its way in and out of town, and the Bolivar mixed originated and terminated at Phelps.

The merger with the Memphis Road put an end to passenger operations from both of the "old" Frisco depots. The small "yard" under the Benton Street overpass is all that remains of the trackage that once served the Phelps Avenue passenger station and freight house

 

In the early 1960's there was a dilapidated wooden "station" style building across from the main Frisco passenger depot.

It was about a "half-block" west of the tan brick dining car/laundry building. I never knew what origin of that "station" actually was. I made a few inquiries and the only answer I came up with was one fellow seemed to think in was the depot for the "Highline" or one of the predecessor roads. I'm pretty sure I have a photo of that building somewhere in my collection but no luck as yet.

Anyone else know anything about that building?

Thanks,

Tom

 

Could it be possible that this is the "station"?

View attachment Depot 1 by Bob Dye.jpg