Beaumont in Butler County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Beaumont Becomes a Railroad Town
Beaumont Historical Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 24, 2011
1. Beaumont Becomes a Railroad Town Marker
Inscription.
Beaumont Becomes a Railroad Town. Beaumont Historical Marker. In 1879, Beaumont was established as a railroad town. It became one of the most important shipping points in the Flint Hills. Beaumont sat atop the divide that separated Otter Creek and Little Walnut Creek. Westbound trains from Piedmont had nearly ten miles of steep grade before cresting the divide. The 25,000 gallon wooden water tower was constructed and there were 7 trains consuming 35 thousand gallons of water daily. A steam engine alone used approximately 5,000 gallons between Piedmont and Beaumont. The roundhouse was built in 1890 and had six engine stalls, with pits underneath for inspection and repair. At that time, Beaumont was established as the overhaul station between St. Louis and Wichita. They employed 90 people and built structures to house the coal, office, store rooms, ice house, showers and a depot. By 1950 shipping of cattle had been taken over by trucks; in 1955 the last steam engine passenger train went through Beaumont. This wooden water tower was the last one used on the mainline of a railroad in the United States.
In 1879, Beaumont was established as a railroad town. It became one of the most important shipping points in the Flint Hills. Beaumont sat atop the divide that separated Otter Creek and Little Walnut Creek. Westbound trains from Piedmont had nearly ten miles of steep grade before cresting the divide. The 25,000 gallon wooden water tower was constructed and there were 7 trains consuming 35 thousand gallons of water daily. A steam engine alone used approximately 5,000 gallons between Piedmont and Beaumont. The roundhouse was built in 1890 and had six engine stalls, with pits underneath for inspection and repair. At that time, Beaumont was established as the overhaul station between St. Louis and Wichita. They employed 90 people and built structures to house the coal, office, store rooms, ice house, showers and a depot. By 1950 shipping of cattle had been taken over by trucks; in 1955 the last steam engine passenger train went through Beaumont. This wooden water tower was the last one used on the mainline of a railroad in the United States.
W. Marker is in Beaumont, Kansas, in Butler County. Marker is at the intersection of SE 116th Terrace and SE Main Street, on the left when traveling west on SE 116th Terrace. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11651 SE Main Street, Beaumont KS 67012, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . The Frisco. (Submitted on October 30, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 24, 2011
2. Beaumont Becomes a Railroad Town Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 435 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 29, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
