Name/Title
Interurban Launched 100 years ago, News Article, St. Joseph News Press May 5, 2013Entry/Object ID
L9999.999.3829Description
Interurban Launched 100 years ago, News Article, St. Joseph News Press May 5, 2013. St. Joseph to Kansas City Interurban rail line. Incorporated as the Kansas City, Clay County, and St. Joseph Railway, in 1913 when it began, only 13 of every 1000 Americans owned a car. The rail line ran until 1933, when auto ownership had risen to 192 of 1000. This electric line, which ran hourly, shortened the older steam route by 13 miles to 51 miles long, and had cheaper fares than steam trains. Some of its cars had upholstered parlors with stained glass windows.
In 1911, there opened an non-affiliated interurban between Savannah, Mo and St. Joseph. It ran until 1939. A short interurban ran between Forest City and Oregon, MO in Holt County.
Driving force behind the St. Joe-KC line was Charles F. Enright, a St. Joseph banker, and George Townsend. Financing came from Boston & New York. Missouri built a bridge across the Missouri River at Kansas City for the rail line. Cars were built by the Cincinnati Car Co. Fare was 2.5 cents a mile. There were 41 stops between the cities.
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St. Joseph History, Electric Railways, Interurban Railroad, St. Joseph to Kansas City InterurbanPublication Details
Author
Ken NewtonPlace Published
City
St. JosephState/Province
MissouriDate Published
2013Call No.
StJoArea NENotes
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