Information Sheet

 

 

R         St. Louis‑San Francisco Railway Company.

362                  Historical records, 1859‑1980.

                                    635 items in 56 cartons.

 

NOTE: THIS COLLECTION IS IN OFF-CAMPUS STORAGE. AT LEAST TWO DAYS ADVANCE NOTICE IS REQUIRED FOR RESEARCH USE.

 

 

These are corporate minutes and financial account books, and other records of the St. Louis-San Francisco (“Frisco”) Railway Company (1916-1980) and predecessor, subsidiary, and con­stituent companies, most notably the St. Louis & San Francisco Railway (1876-1896) and the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad (1896-1916).  The “Frisco” operated in Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.  It became part of the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1980.

 

The “Frisco” had its origin as the South West Branch of the Pacific Railroad, building southwest from St. Louis in the 1850s.  War and financial difficulties plagued the road in its sev­eral early incarnations, including John C. Frémont’s South West Pa­cific (1866‑1868), the South Pacific (1868‑1870), and as part of the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad (1870‑1876).

 

The modern history of the “Frisco” can be dated from the organization of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway Company in 1876.  This road fell into receivership in 1893, emerg­ing in 1896 as the new St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Company.  This firm likewise failed, in 1913, being reorganized in 1916 as the St. Louis‑San Francisco Railway Company.  This corpo­rate identification was retained, despite further financial difficulties, until it was ab­sorbed by the Bur­lington Northern in 1980.

 

Headquartered in St. Louis, the “Frisco” served a wide area, with terminals in St. Louis, Kan­sas City (Mo.), Dallas, Memphis, Birmingham, Mobile, and Pensacola (Fla.).  The “X‑shaped” system maintained a primary junction at Springfield (Mo.).  At its peak, in the 1930s, the road op­erated on over 5,000 miles of track.

 

This collection includes records from 183 railroad corporations, construction firms, and de­velopment companies which were part of, or contributed to, the Frisco system.  Most of the 635 items are corporate minute books and financial account volumes, but various other mate­rials, such as photographs, scrapbooks, and clippings, are also included.  For detailed descrip­tions of the items see the Guide to the Historical Records of the St. Louis‑San Francisco Railway Com­pany and Its Predecessor, Subsidiary and Constituent Companies.

 

 

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