Selections From The Splinters - Volume 14

THE GALVESTON, HARRISBURG AND SAN ANTONIO

As stated above, the Texas and Pacific was behind and even upon reaching El Paso the Southern
Pacific had found the former's line not yet in sight. It was at Sierra Blanca, 92 miles east of El Paso that the two actually met. These 92 miles were built for the Southern Pacific interests - nominally the Central Pacific - by the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio, and were operated jointly with the Texas and Pacific, each paying half maintenance expenses and the Texas and Pacific paying in addition 6 per cent. On $10,000 per mile.

The Galveston road was the result of knitting together several Texas roads. Beginning with the 80
miles of the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado railway, control over the Texas and New Orleans, and Louisiana Western roads was gained, extending the line from Houston to Vermillion. In 1883 Morgan's Louisiana and Texas railroad was acquired, giving access to New Orleans; and on February 1, 1883, this new route from El Paso to the mouth of the Mississippi was opened.

By controlling the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio the Southern Pacific not only got its
own road to the Gulf and New Orleans, but also acquired the extensive steamship properties of Morgan's, Louisiana and Texas Railroad.

Portion of page 13 Volume 14 of the Splinters transcribed in altered form for the web by Russell Crump

Added to the WWW 07-19-97
Updated 01-28-2002