The Kansas City Southern Railway in Port Arthur
The city of Port Arthur was platted in 1895 as the terminus of a railroad envisioned by Arthur E. Stilwell as the shortest route from Kansas City, Missouri to the Gulf of Mexico. The Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad was completed in September 1897 and became the Kansas City Southern Railroad in 1900. Prior even to the official completion of the railroad, construction began in 1896 on a stucco and red tile depot at this site, which was completed in March 1897. Trains were required to follow a circuitous route to reach Port Arthur until the direct KCP&G line was completed in Louisiana and Texas.
Stilwell’s intention to create a vibrant port city was soon realized. A canal was rapidly dug to connect the city, on the shores of Sabine Lake, to Sabine Pass, enabling goods to be shipped in from the Gulf of Mexico. These goods were then transported by way of the rail line into the interior of the United States.
The railroad also served to draw people to the new town. Excursion trains brought developers, investors and potential residents to Port Arthur and the surrounding area. Local passenger service to and from Beaumont three times each day was provided by the KCP&G and later the KCS until the interurban railway between Beaumont and Port Arthur was established in 1913. Long distance passenger service was also offered between
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Marker is property of the State of Texas
Erected 2009 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16026.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.
Location. 29° 52.068′ N, 93° 56.298′ W. Marker is in Port Arthur, Texas, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of Houston Avenue and Procter Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Houston Avenue. Southern terminus of Procter Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 Houston Avenue, Port Arthur TX 77640, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Port Arthur-Beaumont Interurban Railway (approx. 0.3 miles away); Remembering Ancestors (approx. 0.4 miles away); South County Office Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Paul United Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Israel Chapel A.M.E. Church (approx. half a mile away); Francis John (Frank) Trost
More about this marker. Located in front of the current Port Arthur International Seafarer's Center.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 567 times since then and 110 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 23, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.
