Hayti, MO depot. Frisco depot and freight house at Hayti, MO circa 1940. Photograph by Kevin McCoy's dad, a retired Frisco agent operator.
From Richard Crabtree on Frisco Rails Across Missouri. Here we are in the Frisco depot and yards in Hayti, Missouri. Hayti was platted in 1894, when the railroad was extended to that point. According to one tradition, the name honors Dr. G. Hayes, an original owner of the site. It is also claimed the name is derived from the country of Haiti. A post office called Hayti has been in operation since 1895. The Frisco depot that we see was built there in 1913. Photo 1) Frisco depot in Hayti, Missouri. Photo 2) Frisco depot in Hayti, Missouri Plan - Missouri state University (MSU) Digital Collection. Photo 3) Pemiscot County Missouri Map. Photo 4) Frisco railroad yards in Hayti, Missouri. Click here to see current view. https://www.google.com/maps/@36.2359071,-89.7520638,3a,84.6y,325.99h,86.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1styFNHez-_xqfgH3-Xf4uLg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
During the latter part of 1903, the Frisco planned and began construction on a cut-off between Hayti, MO and an unincorporated location called Grassy Bayou, MO. The Frisco completed construction of the 6 miles of track during the early part of 1904. The Hayti -Caruthersville-Grassy Bayou segment became know as the Caruthersville Loop, and it became a thorn in the side of the Frisco. During Aug 1913, the Frisco re-routed all its freight trains and its St Louis-Memphis passenger train over its new cut-off. The new cut-off saved ten miles and 45 minutes. At the time, Caruthersville was a major revenue contributor to the Frisco, and the city fathers cried foul at their new status of a “sidetrack city”. To be sure local service still existed, but the loss in status sent the city fathers to the Missouri Public Service Commission which, during June 1915, reached a decision that required the Frisco to resume “through passenger service” to Caruthersville. The MPSC threaten $1000-daily fines for failure to comply with the order. Thus began the dance between the Frisco and the city. The Frisco took its case to the US Supreme Court, and during May 1917, it reduced passenger service through Caruthersville. During 1921, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Frisco’s favor, and the Frisco inaugurated its Tri-City Passenger local, which operated between Kennett, MO, Caruthersville, MO and Bytheville, AR. Through the 1920s and 193os service to Caruthersville changed as demand changed. In general terms, service rendered was a combination of the following: The St Louis-Memphis local called on Caruthersville, a Bullmoose operated between Caruthersville and Hayti to meet the Memphian, and local service operated between Caruthersville and selected River Division points. Surprisingly during February 1934, the Frisco upgraded the “Loop” and laid heavier rail (75lb), renewed ties, surfaced and lined the route. It was an act against interest, since the Frisco claimed that service over the “Loop” was impractical for mainline trains because of the poor track. On August 17, 1939 the last through, mainline passenger trains, Nos 807/808 operated over the “Loop”. On November 26, 1939, the Frisco replaced the Hayti-Caruthersville Bullmoose with busses. During April 1940, the Frisco retired the track between Caruthersville, MO and Grassy Bayou, MO. During the previous year this segment generated but 4 car-loads of traffic.
Great stuff as always Karl. Hayti has become a loading point for unit cottonseed trains to the California Central Valley, which BNSF routes thru here. I have had to explain to the Arizona railfans that the town is pronounced HAY-tie, tie with the long "I" sound. Ted Ferkenhoff Flagstaff, AZ
Karl, Superb as always. I have never quite understood the "why" behind leaving the Caruthersville Loop intact for so long after the cutoff was completed. Wounded civic pride can be a powerful thing, especially when combined with a heavy compliment of litigation. Operationally, you have described a lot of why I have always felt that Hayti would make an interesting layout unto itself. A Bull Moose running to the depot from C'aruthersville staging to meet Nos 805/806. Good stuff. Ted, All Southeast Missourians thank you for translating. Best Regards,
My great grandfather told me Hayti got its name from when during watermelon season, they used to load "hay" for packing the melons and the trains would "tie" up there.
