Thursday, Jan. 16, 1964
University Daily Kansan
Page 5
Interurban Trolley Cars Now Forgotten
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—(UPI)—The oldtimers remember, but few young Kansans today would guess that the interurban trolley car was once a favorite and necessary means of travel for thousands of the state's citizens
At the turn of the century, the interurban was looked upon as the ultimate in modern transportation. It offered faster, cheaper and cleaner transportation than the steam railroads. And there were few hard surfaced roads for that new and often undependable toy, the auto.
ALLISON CHANDLER of the Salina Daily Journal has relived the interurban era of Kansas in a new book, Trolley through the Countryside. Included are the histories of every one of the 15 interurban systems that once operated in the state.
Only one of the systems is still operating today—the Northeast Oklahoma Railroad which has a line north from Miami, Okla., to Columbus, Kan. It has long since discontinued passenger service but still hauls a considerable volume of freight.
KANSAS CITY was the biggest Kansas interurban hub. From there, lines radiated to Leavenworth, Lawrence, Zarah and Olathe, as well as to Excelsior Springs and St. Joseph on the Missouri side.
Kansas had quite a trolley heyed Most of the lines were built in the first decade of the century, and enjoyed relative prosperity until World War I. But rising costs, the advent of paved roads and inexpensive personal automobiles plunged the interurban industry into a financial slide which ended with the abandonment of most lines in the 30's.
At one time or another, it was the announced intention of all four lines running west from Kansas City to
The early bird catches the worm WILLIAM CAMDEN
By finding a career while you're still in college, you can get a jump ahead of the competition.
For young men interested in being in business for themselves, with no ceiling on potential earnings, Provident Mutual offers a chance to start now. Our training program for life insurance sales and sales management will begin while you're still a student.
We're looking for initiative and imagination, for young men who want to grow with their careers. Stop by or phone our campus office for a talk. Or write for the free booklet, "Interning for the Future".
Kermit D. Hoffmeier
1722 W.9th
VI 3-5692
build into the state capital of Topeka.
None of them ever made it.
There was an interurban line from Junction City to Manhattan, by way of Ft. Riley. This line, the Manhattan City & Interurban Railway, enjoyed a terrific boom during World War I as thousands of troops in training for war swelled the normal peacetime complement on the fort. But business had fallen off so rapidly that the whole line was abandoned in 1926.
THE NETWORK of electric lines
in the Kansas-Missouri-Oklahoma cofner grew quite vast at one time, with four systems operating, including the state's sole survivor, Northeast Oklahoma.
Between Joplin and Pittsburg, with other branches to Girard, Mulberry and Columbus, Kan., ran the Joplin & Pittsburg, whose "Air Line Flyers" made the 28-mile run in 33 minutes.
Perhaps the classiest of the Kansas interurbans was the Arkansas Valley interurban, whose heavy and
elegantly-appointed cars ran between Wichita and Hutchinson, with a branch to Newton, until 1938. The line survived as a freight-only carrier until 1942.
Professor Honored
Milton Steinhardt, professor of music history, has been elected to the executive board of the American Musical Society for 1964. The election came at the recent annual meeting in Seattle, Wash.
Tires and Glass
East End of 9th Street
V13-0956
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Open the year 'round. Winter, skiing; Fall, hunting; Summer, fishing.
Many unique places to visit and dance in this old mining town with college atmosphere. Many new friends. Accommodations for 80 in the $4.00 dormitory rooms; 100 more in private rooms.
Bring a group of six and one gets free dormitory lodging. Just catch the turnpike to highway 50, then on to Gunnison. From Gunnison on 135 (just 28 miles) to Crested Butte. Private and group rooms available.
For reservations: call telephone 4521, collect, at Crested Butte, Colo.
Union Pacific City of St. Louis also leaves Lawrence straight to Denver. Frontier airlines then flies you down to Gunnison where a Crested Butte bus or Nordic Inn station wagon will pick you up.
For additional information and schedules, call VI 2-4459.