Tracks of Progress: How Railroads Shaped Southern Missouri’s Towns.

(Courtesy: Missouri Archives)

The development of Southern Missouri during the late-19th and early-20th centuries was inextricably tied to the rise of the railroad. The impact of the railroad on the region cannot be overstated—this system of transportation catalyzed economic growth, encouraged settlement, and transformed rural communities into vital hubs of commerce and industry. The railroad not only connected remote towns and cities to larger markets but also played a pivotal role in transforming raw forests and undeveloped land into bustling urban areas.

As the turn of the century approached, the railroad began its widespread influence across the landscape of Missouri, with towns like Springfield, Poplar Bluff, Willow Springs, Cabool, and Horton seeing dramatic changes. The story of the railroad in Southern Missouri is one of infrastructure development, human effort, and bold decisions that helped shape the modern identity of the region.

(Courtesy: Lehrman Collection)

May 10, 1869.  This iconic photograph records the celebration marking the completion of the first transcontinental railroad lines at Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10, 1869, when Leland Stanford, co-founder of the Central Pacific Railroad, connected the eastern and western sections this expanding the railroad Nationwide.

Early Railroad Development and Its Impact on Southern Missouri.

Before the arrival of the railroad, much of Southern Missouri was sparsely populated, with vast stretches of forest, rugged hills, and untapped natural resources. Transportation was slow and unreliable, relying mainly on dirt roads, horse-drawn wagons, and riverboats to move goods and people. The introduction of the railroad in the late-1800s marked a dramatic shift, providing an efficient and reliable means of transporting goods, people, and raw materials over long distances.

The establishment of railroad lines through Missouri’s untamed forests was a strategic move by railroad companies, land investors, and government officials. The primary objective was to create a transportation corridor for raw materials like timber, coal, and agricultural products, which could then be exported to larger markets. The railroad system helped Missouri become a key link in the broader national transportation network, connecting the East and the rapidly developing West.

Willow Springs: A Town Transformed by the Railroad.

One of the towns that saw tremendous growth due to the railroad was Willow Springs, located in Howell County. Before the arrival of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway (Frisco Line) in the 1880s, Willow Springs was a fairly non-existent settlement. The surrounding area was known for its abundant forests, which provided a significant source of timber, and the town itself had little industry or infrastructure to support large-scale trade.

When the railroad arrived, it revolutionized Willow Spring's economy. The Frisco Line provided an efficient means to transport timber, agricultural products, and other local goods to larger markets. As a result, Willow Springs quickly developed into a critical hub for the timber industry. Lumber mills and warehouses sprouted up around the town as timber was processed and shipped via the railroad. The improved transportation infrastructure also led to a rapid increase in settlement, with new businesses, schools, and institutions forming to cater to the growing population.

Additionally, Willow Springs became a key point on the railway line, facilitating travel between larger cities such as St. Louis and Springfield. Its strategic location allowed the town to grow and thrive, contributing to the broader economic development of Southern Missouri.

(Courtesy: Howell County News)

The Willow Springs train depot, circa 1900 — the heart of a town whose growth was fueled by the railroad, turning it from a struggling settlement into a thriving community.

Cabool: Another Success Story in Railroad Development.

Similar to Willow Springs, Cabool in Texas County was transformed by the arrival of the railroad. Before the railroad came through Cabool in 1883, the town was a quiet farming community with little infrastructure. However, when the Missouri-Pacific Railroad laid tracks through the area, Cabool quickly became a major center for the lumber industry. The town's access to timber, along with the new rail connections, allowed it to become a vital point in the transportation of goods like lumber, coal, and agricultural products.

The arrival of the railroad also brought an influx of workers and settlers, many of whom worked for the railroad itself or in businesses that supported the railroad. The town’s growth spurred the development of shops, hotels, restaurants, and saloons, as well as essential infrastructure like schools and churches. Cabool’s economy was fundamentally transformed by its location along the railroad, and it became an important trade center for the Ozarks.

(Courtesy: Cabool Chamber of Commerce)

The railroad that went through Cabool, Missouri was built by construction engineers who may have also worked in Afghanistan. The Grant-Davis Lumber Company in Cabool kept business records that included correspondence with the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad. 

Horton, Missouri: A Railroad Town Lost to the Forest.

Not every town in Southern Missouri that was influenced by the railroad has survived in the way that Willow Springs and Cabool have. Horton, located in the Ozarks, serves as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of some railroad towns. Horton was once a bustling railroad hub in the late-19th century, home to rail crews and an active station that played a central role in transporting goods like timber and agricultural products.

Today, Horton has largely been overtaken by the forest. The tracks are gone, and most of the town's infrastructure has vanished. However, remnants of its past still remain, including overgrown railroad tramways that can still be found winding through the dense forest. The forest has slowly reclaimed much of Horton, but the cemetery at Horton stands as solemn proof of the town’s existence. It is a quiet, forgotten place where the stories of those who once lived and worked in the railroad town remain preserved in the headstones.

(Courtesy: Lou Wehmer)

A standard gauge railroad track was laid to Burnham and Horton. In 1881, before the railroad's arrival, the South Missouri Land Company moved its headquarters from Kansas City to Willow Springs.

(Courtesy: W.P. Chamber of Commerce)

The first train arrived in West Plains, Missouri on Christmas Day in 1883. This event marked the beginning of a period of rapid growth for the town. This photo is circa 1920.

West Plains: Embracing the Railroad!

The arrival of the railroad in West Plains, around the turn of the century, had a transformative impact on the town and its immediate surroundings. Before the railroad, West Plains was a relatively isolated agricultural community, relying heavily on local markets and slow, expensive methods of transportation. However, with the construction of the railroad, West Plains became a vital regional trade hub. Farmers and ranchers could now ship their products—such as cattle, poultry, and timber—more efficiently to larger markets, reducing costs and opening up new revenue streams. Additionally, the railroad made it possible for local merchants to access goods from distant cities, improving the availability of products and sparking economic diversity.

The railroad also had a profound impact on the population and community life of West Plains. As the town became more accessible, it attracted new residents, businesses, and industries looking to take advantage of the transportation opportunities. The town saw a population boost, and businesses such as hotels, boarding houses, and warehouses were established to support the influx of travelers and traders. In a region that was once dependent on farming and a few local industries, the railroad's arrival was a catalyst for modernization, contributing to the growth of West Plains into a more connected and prosperous town at the turn of the century.

Elements of Building a Railroad.

The railroad’s expansion into Missouri, and particularly into the rugged Southern Missouri region, was often driven by a mix of federal land grants, state support, and private enterprise. The U.S. government provided large land grants to railroad companies, which incentivized construction by allowing companies to sell or settle land as they saw fit. The 1862 Pacific Railway Act, which granted land to companies building transcontinental railroads, exemplifies this federal approach. Missouri was strategically positioned as a critical point in this network, and the promise of untapped land in Southern Missouri attracted railroad companies eager to capitalize on both the region's natural resources and its potential for settlement.

The decision on where railroads would pass was influenced by geography, land availability, and the needs of local communities. Railroad companies and local governments often negotiated routes, sometimes with significant lobbying from settlers eager to have the railroad pass through their town. This process wasn’t always smooth, as communities fought for inclusion, and railroad companies balanced cost, terrain challenges, and potential economic benefits.

Labor and Recruitment: The Backbone of the Railroad.

The physical labor required to build these railroad lines was monumental. Railroad companies needed thousands of workers to clear forests, lay tracks, build bridges, and construct stations. Men from all over the country—and, in some cases, from other parts of the world—were recruited to take on this grueling work. Labor agents traveled across the country to bring in workers, often promising steady wages, food, and shelter. In many cases, recruitment was also directed at local populations, many of whom saw the railroad as an opportunity to secure employment in an area that had limited job options.

The pay for unskilled laborers was typically between $1.50 and $3.00 per day, a competitive wage at the time, but still, the work was grueling and often dangerous. Skilled workers, such as engineers and masons, were paid higher wages for their specialized skills. Workers were tasked with clearing dense forests, building bridges over rivers, and digging tunnels through the challenging terrain of Southern Missouri.

The role of draft horses in the construction process cannot be overlooked. These strong, sturdy animals were indispensable to the workers, used for pulling heavy wagons, hauling equipment, and transporting materials like timber.

A Monumental Undertaking.

Building a railroad from one city to another, particularly through Southern Missouri’s rugged terrain, was a lengthy and expensive process.

For example, the 60-mile stretch between Springfield and West Plains—a key route in the St. Louis, Iron Mountain, and Southern Railway system—took several years to complete. Construction on this section of track began in the late-1870s, with the railroad officially connecting Springfield and West Plains by the mid-1880s. This was a monumental effort, requiring thousands of workers, significant resources, and considerable planning to navigate the challenges posed by the steep, rocky terrain.

The costs associated with these projects were equally staggering. Each mile of track could cost anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 to complete, depending on the terrain. 

(Courtesy: Missouri Archives)

Brothers in labor. In the 1800s, railroad workers faced dangerous conditions, long hours, and low pay, but they were essential to the growth of the railroad industry. 

Documenting History Rolling On The Tracks.

(Courtesy: Steinheimer Collection)

If you love vintage railroad photographs then there's a really good chance you've enjoyed Richard Steinheimer (1929-2011) photos. He is considered one of the greatest American railroad photographers. A pioneer in the field, he documented the railroad's transition from steam to diesel power, using elaborate lighting equipment to photograph by night and even positioning himself atop moving trains to capture them in motion.