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 dwtaylor999
  
Location: Unassigned Lands, Oklahoma
Gender: Male
 |  | Abandoned Midland Valley Depot, Pawhuska OK
< on 4/4/2011 2:11 PM >
|  | | | The Midland Valley Railroad was incorporated on June 4, 1903. Construction was backed by Philadelphia industrialist C. Jared Ingersoll who had coal mining interests in the Northeast region of Indian Territory and intended to use the new railroad to carry coal.
There were two depots in Pawhuska, the much more popular Sante Fe, which exists today as a museum, and this one. Built around 1905, this is what the depot looked like in 1963.
As it looks today.
Construction began in Arkansas in 1903, and was completed in 1910 upon reaching Wichita, Kansas. Headquarters and shops were established in 1904 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. While coal loadings remained important to the railroad, its most profitable years were the result of large oil deposits in the region as railroads provided the primary means of transporting crude oil before the establishment of pipelines. The company also profited from shipment of equipment and supplies related to oil production, and later an oil refinery constructed in Barnsdall, Oklahoma.
Stretching 335 miles the railroad roughly paralleled the Arkansas River and hence the slogan "Arkansas River Route" was often used. The Midland Valley was the shortest route between Wichita and Fort Smith.
Early on the Midland Valley had a reasonably sized passenger fleet, and even featured some Pullman equipment. Passenger revenues peaked in 1920 and was discontinued by 1934 with the exception of an occasional passenger in a caboose.
The Midland Valley was bought out by the Texas & Pacific in 1964. The T&P, in turn, merged in 1964 with the Missouri Pacific, which was itself merged into Union Pacific in 1983.
The main entrance and passenger area.
The cargo area and loading dock.
This fenced area is shown in the old photos. I'm assuming it's purpose was decorative. The tree, like the depot, is long dead.
There was another building just to the north of the depot that appeared to have been for cargo only. It was a burned out shell.
The Midland Valley was bought out by the Texas & Pacific in 1964. The T&P, in turn, merged in 1964 with the Missouri Pacific, which was itself merged into Union Pacific in 1983. I'm not sure when the tracks and depot where abandoned. Many of the railways in the area where decommissioned in the 70's. It appears it's last use was as a feed store. The roof has partially collapsed, and will completely fall shortly. The shell will probably stand for some time, as there appears to be no demand for the property.
Ruins, the fate of all cities. |
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Explorer Zero
   
| |  | Re: Abandoned Midland Valley Depot, Pawhuska OK
<Reply # 1 on 4/4/2011 10:15 PM >
| | | | no matter what anyone says, Oklahoma is OK !
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sandy frank
 
Location: Indiana-ish
Gender: Male
Why doesn't Johnny care...?
| | Re: Abandoned Midland Valley Depot, Pawhuska OK
<Reply # 2 on 4/4/2011 10:46 PM >
| | | | I quite enjoy your informative tours. Thanks!
I've no sense, I lick electric fence; I put barbed wire in my pants and do a Celtic dance.
- My Canon 300D is beat to hell, a bit finicky, and a 'lil loose, much like everything else I own...
http://www.youtube...atch?v=IvN10-n1NBc |
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KingJalopy
Location: Tulsa, OK
Gender: Male
I love manholes
| |  | Re: Abandoned Midland Valley Depot, Pawhuska OK
<Reply # 3 on 4/5/2011 1:33 PM >
| | | | Posted by 2Xplorations
no matter what anyone says, Oklahoma is OK !
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but it's only just ok, trust me...
also, these are the best posts on UER currently imo, and relevant to my regional interest. keep up the good work.
[last edit 4/5/2011 1:34 PM by KingJalopy - edited 1 times]
Drains, drains, drains, drains, drains. |
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Cheez--it
 
Location: Right here
Gender: Male
If I could say it in words, I wouldn't need to photograph.
| | Re: Abandoned Midland Valley Depot, Pawhuska OK
<Reply # 4 on 4/5/2011 8:44 PM >
| | | | Really enjoy reading your posts, keep it up!
I find the railroad decline very fascinating. There was/is all of this infrastructure and it's been left to rot or scrapped. I understand the focus switched to cars and trucks for moving people and goods. We all like the freedom of jumping in our car and driving where we want to go, no waiting, transfers, etc. But rail is making a come back, at least in my home state. It's only moving people around the overcrowded city, but it's growing though slowly with the current economy. Ridership for the Trinity Railway Express (Dallas to Ft Worth commuter rail) makes it the 14th most ridden rail in the country with a daily ridership of 10,900.
http://en.wikipedi...Area_Rapid_Transit
It would be cool to see some old infrastructure integrated with current rail technology.
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dwtaylor999
Location: Unassigned Lands, Oklahoma
Gender: Male
| | Re: Abandoned Midland Valley Depot, Pawhuska OK
<Reply # 5 on 4/5/2011 11:59 PM >
| | | | I agree on the fascination with the railroad decline. I find it amazing that in 1920 I could have hopped on a train in my little town and gone to any of the neighboring towns, Tulsa, Dallas, Chicago, or wherever. Sure wish I could do that today, I'd park my car in a minute.
Ruins, the fate of all cities. |
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Cheez--it
Location: Right here
Gender: Male
If I could say it in words, I wouldn't need to photograph.
| | Re: Abandoned Midland Valley Depot, Pawhuska OK
<Reply # 6 on 4/6/2011 2:31 PM >
| | | | Ignore
[last edit 4/6/2011 7:22 PM by Cheez--it - edited 1 times]
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RobertB
Location: Skeeterville, TX
Gender: Male
Maybe I shouldn't be using my real name...
| | | Re: Abandoned Midland Valley Depot, Pawhuska OK
<Reply # 7 on 4/12/2011 12:02 AM >
| | | | Thanks for a great set. My ex is from Pawhuska, and I yearned to check out that depot many times since the '80s. (Oddly enough, it still looks pretty much the same). There's plenty more to explore in Pawhuska -- did you find the Swingin' Bridge?
J'ai toujours fait une prière à Dieu, qui est fort courte.
La voici: "Mon Dieu, rendez nos ennemis bien ridicules!"
Dieu m'a exaucé. |
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dwtaylor999
Location: Unassigned Lands, Oklahoma
Gender: Male
| | Re: Abandoned Midland Valley Depot, Pawhuska OK
<Reply # 8 on 4/12/2011 12:46 AM >
| | | | Posted by RobertB
Thanks for a great set. My ex is from Pawhuska, and I yearned to check out that depot many times since the '80s. (Oddly enough, it still looks pretty much the same). There's plenty more to explore in Pawhuska -- did you find the Swingin' Bridge?
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Yes indeed.
When I get back in a month or so, I plan to spend quite a bit of time in and around Pawhuska. I think of Pawhuska as the big city that never was. I really wish I could have gotten into the old Duncan Hotel before it was gone. I'm definitely going to get into the Triangle building when I get back.
Ruins, the fate of all cities. |
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RobertB
Location: Skeeterville, TX
Gender: Male
Maybe I shouldn't be using my real name...
| | | Re: Abandoned Midland Valley Depot, Pawhuska OK
<Reply # 9 on 4/14/2011 3:10 PM >
| | | | Nice new boards on the bridge. I'm glad they're keeping it up. Didn't know that the Duncan Hotel was gone, though... I'll have to get my ex brother-in-law to tell me about the times he explored it when he was a kid in the early '90s. (No pix, sry)
J'ai toujours fait une prière à Dieu, qui est fort courte.
La voici: "Mon Dieu, rendez nos ennemis bien ridicules!"
Dieu m'a exaucé. |
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pinkmeowcats
Location: Oklahoma, US
Gender: Female
| | Re: Abandoned Midland Valley Depot, Pawhuska OK
<Reply # 10 on 4/15/2011 2:31 AM >
| | | | Posted by KingJalopy
also, these are the best posts on UER currently imo, and relevant to my regional interest. keep up the good work.
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+1
I always look out for these posts!
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dwtaylor999
Location: Unassigned Lands, Oklahoma
Gender: Male
| | Re: Abandoned Midland Valley Depot, Pawhuska OK
<Reply # 11 on 6/3/2011 10:29 PM >
| | | | A small addition to this old post. If you look behind the caboose you'll notice a strange little building just down the track.
This was the public 4 holer. Built of concrete, I missed it the first time due to the growth.
A good shot of the Depot in 1918 when both buildings were in their prime. This is a sendoff for troops reporting for WWI.
[last edit 6/3/2011 10:30 PM by dwtaylor999 - edited 1 times]
Ruins, the fate of all cities. |
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