South Dakota Central Railway Explained

The South Dakota Central Railway was a railroad that ran between the cities of Sioux Falls and Watertown. The railroad was organized and operated by local businessmen.^[1] Sioux Falls lawyer Joe Kirby served as the railroad's vice president and attorney.

History

Construction of the line began in 1904. The new towns were created along the line are as follows: Crooks, Colton, Huntimer, Chester, Nunda, Sinai, Lyons, Lake Norden, Ahnberg, Rutland, Badger, Thomas, Foley, and Hayti.^[1] Frederick Maytag invested in the railroad in 1904. At about the same time he established the Maytag Company which made washing machines.^[2]

The railroad suffered chronic financial difficulties.^[3] It went into receivership in 1908 and was sold in 1916 in accordance with a bankruptcy court order. It was bought by the Watertown and Sioux Falls Railway, which itself was sold to the Great Northern Railway in December 1928.^{[4] [5]}

Maytag lost money on his railroad investment, and even reimbursed friends who invested in the venture on his advice.^[2]

References

1. The Influence of Railroads Upon the Process and Patterns of Settlement in South Dakota, by James Frederic Hamburg (1970), page 266
2. Biographical Dictionary of American Business Leaders (1983) H-M page 875
3. Web site: South Dakota Central, Lake Norden, South Dakota - South Dakota Historical Markers on . Waymarking.com . 2022-05-04.
4. US Interstate Commerce Reports (Valuation Reports) 1927, pages 207-208
5. The Great Northern Railway Company: Predecessors and Fully-Controlled Subsidiaries . Middleton . Kenneth R. . Keyes . Norman C. (Jr.) . Autumn 1980 . Railroad History . The Railway and Locomotive Historical Society . 143 . Boston, MA . 16, 18.