Topeka in Shawnee County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Pauline Depot
1910
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 20, 2012
1. The Pauline Depot Marker
Old Prairie Town at Historic Ward-Meade Park
Shawnee County Parks & Recreation website entry:
Click for more information.
Shawnee County Parks & Recreation website entry:
Click for more information.
The Pauline Depot, constructed by the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Company at a cost of $985, is a typical small town Santa Fe Railroad station that served the public during the early 1900's. This depot was located in Pauline, seven miles south of Topeka on what was then the railway's main line to the west. The history of the railroad is also a history of Topeka and Ward-Meade Park. John Macky Meade came to Topeka from Virginia as a bridge engineer for the Santa Fe Railroad.
Jointed rail trackage was laid in proper association with the position of the depot and brick platform. The tall semaphore "train order board" was operated by the agent to signal approaching trains to stop or proceed. The "box" mounted to the left of the front door is a "waybill box" where conductors could leave freight waybills for the agent when the depot was closed.
Closed in 1982, it was donated by Santa Fe to Historic Ward-Meade Park. Members of the Topeka Chapter of the National Railway [Historical] Society provided the labor for this restoration.
A.T.S.F Style 'S' Semaphore Signal
Dedicated in memory of
B. J. 'Bill' Hutton
1922 - 1996
A.T.S.F. Signal Department
and N.H.R.S. member
Erected by
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1982.
Location. 39° 3.826′ N, 95° 41.002′ W. Marker is in Topeka, Kansas, in Shawnee County. Marker is in Old Prairie Town at Historic Ward-Meade Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 124 NW Fillmore Street, Topeka KS 66606, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Pauline Depot (a few steps from this marker); Santa Fe Caboose #1552 (a few steps from this marker); Lingo Livery Stable (a few steps from this marker); Pappan's Ferry (a few steps from this marker); Mulvane General Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Potwin Drug Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Barber Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Victor Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Topeka.
Also see . . .
1. Ward-Meade Park. Kansas Travel website entry (Submitted on May 3, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 20, 2012
2. The Pauline Depot and Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 20, 2012
3. ATSF Style 'S' Signal Dedication Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 20, 2012
4. ATSF Style 'S' Signal & Dedication Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 535 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 3, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
