Incorporated in Kansas, February 11, 1859, as the Atchison & Topeka Railroad Company. Name changed, November 24, 1863 to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company. Went into the hands of Receivers, December 24, 1893, who operated it until December 12, 1895. Sold under foreclosure December 12, 1895. Acquired December 12, 1895 by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company.
The receivers were J. W. Rhinehart of Boston, Jown J. McCook of New York and J. C. Wilson of Topeka. During the next year (1894) Mr. Rhinehart resigned. Mr. Aldace F. Walker of New York took his place.
The first surveys were made in the Spring of 1871 by Capt. John R. Ellinwood and A. A. Robinson under Mr. Peter. The grading was started in the winter of 1872. The track reached Hutchinson, June 10, 1872 Hutchinson to Great Bend, July 30, 1872. Great Bend to Larned, August 30, 1872. Larned to Dodge CIty, September 9, 1872. T. J. Peter, General Manager & Chief Engineer. W. H. Bancroft, Division Superintendent.
Mission Station. This is the end of double track built in 1906. The City water works of Newton are located here. Built in 1897.
A new combination brick passenger and freight depot was built at Halstead in 1917. Erected by Contractor C. A. Fellows of Los Angeles, California, Contractor's price $16,875.00. Work began April 16, 1917. Completed August 1st, 1917.
At Burton, the Frisco own the depot at the crossing, operating jointly. This was built in 1889 at which time we abandoned our depot.
At Hutchinson, the old Eating House on the North side of the track was built by Ott & Tewksberry in 1887. Van Brunt & Howe of Kansas City, Missouri, were the Architects. The Survey of the lots was made in February 23, 1887. They leased the building to a Hotel man from Topeka. He leased to Fred Harvey. No one but Harvey ever occupied the building. The Santa Fe bought the lots and building from Ott & Tewksberry Estate, April 25, 1902 for $12,000. This house was abandoned in 1907. It is now used by Harvey's help and for other purposes. The front rooms are rented.
The old frame passenger and freight depot was replaced by a brick passenger depot and moved further east. Henry Bennett, Contractor. There was also a new fream freight depot with brick office end built in 1908. Nelson & Mcleod, Contractors.
The new eating House & Hotel "Bisconte" were built in 1906 and 1907, by Henry Bennett, Contractor.
Nickerson, this was at one time a Division point. All facilities were pulled down and abandoned in 1897-8. It ended as a division point, November 1st, 1897.
A new brick combination passenger and freight depot was built at Nickerson in 1917. Erected by Contractor C. A. Fellows of Los Angelos, Calif. Contractor's price $16,875. Work began April 16, 1917. Completed August 1st, 1917.
At Sterling a new brick depot was built in 1903. A freight depot is run separately.
At Ellinwood a new brick depot was erected in 1905.
At Great Bend a new brick depot was built in 1911. Harvey Stiver, Contractor. There was a great cyclone at this place, November 10, 1915. 7:05 o'clock in the evening. The depot was slightly damaged at the east end. Nearly the entire town at east end was blown away.
Old irrigating ditch crossed under the track at Bridge #275-A, now dry and out of use, about 5-1/2 miles west of Great Bend, Near M.P. 275, built by B. F. Kane in 1898. The ditch worked all right but was a failure financially.
At Larned a new brick depot was built in 1905. The old depot is used for freight. M.A. Blanchard, Contractor.
At Kinsley a new brick depot was built in 1887.
The change of line and grade, east end of Bellefont, begins at M.P. 327+2630, west end M.P. 332+4448.6. Change made 1905-06-07. Woodbury Howe, Locating Engineer. Contractors Wood, Bancroft & Doty. Claude Betson, Division Engineer.
Change of line and grade east of Dodge City begins at M.P. 347+1832, West end M.P. 350+365. Changes made 1905-06-07. Same Engineers and Contractors as above.
The Dodge CIty new depot and Harvey Eating House and Hotel was built in 1897. Fellows and Van Sant, COntractors,
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This portion of the Meade's Manual transcribed in altered form by Russell L. Crump
Established 04/22/9