Guthrie and Western Railway explained

Railroad Name:Guthrie and Western Railway
Locale:Oklahoma
Length:10.6miles
Start Year:1900
End Year:1902

The genesis of the Guthrie and Western Railway (G&WR) may be said to have occurred January 9, 1900, at a public meeting in the city of Guthrie, Oklahoma. At least one recollection of the evening involved the crowd being told that, while the town was already served by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (AT&SF), it was not served by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad (Rock Island); and, if the town could raise $15,000, the Rock Island would-- perhaps under another name-- build a line from a connection with its track near Kingfisher into the city of Guthrie.[1] What actually happened was that funding was raised for the G&WR, an affiliate of the AT&SF. Incorporated in Oklahoma Territory on that same date, the railroad during 1900 built from a point on the main line of the AT&SF at or between the stations of Seward and Guthrie, to the Rock Island’s line at or near Kingfisher (specifically, Cashion, Oklahoma, east-southeast of Kingfisher), 10.6 miles.[1] [2] [3]

The line was operated by the AT&SF from its first day.[2] A wholly-owned subsidiary of the AT&SF, the railroad was sold June 16, 1902 to another AT&SF affiliate, the Eastern Oklahoma Railway.[2] In subsequent history, the Eastern Oklahoma Railway was sold to the AT&SF on June 20, 1907.[2] The line was abandoned in 1934.[4] [5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Guthrie Western R. R. Co. v. Rhodes, June 25, 1907. CaseText. June 7, 2022.
  2. Book: Railroads of Oklahoma, June 6, 1870 to April 1, 1978. State of Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Survey Division . April 1, 1978. 29-39.
  3. Web site: Cashion, OK. Google Maps. June 7, 2022.
  4. Web site: The Guthrie and Western Railway Company. Railroads of Oklahoma, June 6, 1870 to April 1, 1978 (accessed on Oklahoma Digital Prairie), p.29-39. February 17, 2023.
  5. Web site: Oklahoma 2018-2020 State Railroad Map. Oklahoma Department of Transportation. June 7, 2022.