OK, so I kind of understand why this station in Kansas is so large as it is near Witchita, probably is a rail junction there. Used to be a Hotel and Harvey Lunch Counter as well. Where I get lost is why the Santa Fe built the station to look like William Shakesperes home…what is the story behind that?
Amtrak picture of station in Newton, KS.
http://www.greatamericanstations.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/newtonKS.jpg
Other pictures of the station:
At the risk raising the ire of those folks who are Santa Fe Historians, or maybe. even former employees of the AT&SF. [Friends of Chico?][;)]
I have been exposed to much of the railroad history around South East Kansas and specifically Neosho County, Ks. It is a crossroads of Kansas railroading history.
The Santa Fe had a penchant for building imposing stations, and seemed to follow some similar blue prints for those stations, The Southwester attributes seemed to be present in each location, and at the larger terminal or junction points, they tended to build not only passenger facilities, but managerial and operational building that were fairly impressive, and many incorporated the facilities for
If you google “Santa Fe Station, Temple, Texas”, you will see some architectural similarities in the properties. The Temple Station was also the division headquarters for the Texas Division. The division offices were located on the second floor.
It’s definatly an important junction. It’s historically where the southern (Transcon) line left the original main line (Raton Pass route). There is a bypass line that leaves the mainline closer to Emporia, but the two lines to the south are predominantly directionally operated as a split double track segment of the Transcon.
The Santa Fe depot in Colorado Springs looks very similar. The building still stands but the tracks are gone. It is office space now.
Newton, is decidedly English-Tudor inside and out (beamed cielings inside with English motif wainscotting and doors). Temple, looks to be some type of Southwestern Pueblo hybrid with the red tile roof and stucco & brick. So they are different architectures. Some features might be the same.
To me it seems out of place to suddenly decide on English Tudor and William Shakespear when most of the rail line was preferential to the Southwest - Indian motif. It seems like kind of an outliar. That’s why I am curious if there is a story behind why they attempted that in Newton, KS. There is probably a reason somewhere having to do with a railroad official that made the decision.
Yes that is English Manor style as well. Well maybe they mixed it up on Depot design. Looks like a nice balcony on the second floor.
Now that is impressive. What a beauty.
It was the Division Headquarters for the Middle Division and for the “Kansas Division” until 2004. Newton was a major hub on ATSF, every bit as inportant as Barstow still is. Until the early 1960’s, there also was a General Manager’s staff there until things got re-distributed.
This is from an article I wrote in February 2016 edition of Great Plains Diapatcher
The Amtrak depot at Newton opened as the Santa Fe passenger depot in 1930. The eastern half of the building housed the Fred Harvey Company restaurant. for 50 years, an eating facility was maintained in the depot under three ownerships.
The Harvey dining facility in Newton closed during 1957. At the time of closing, the only such other location operating along the Santa Fe was in the depot at Gallup, NM. Soon after Harvey closed the Newton diner, it reopened as Henning Coffee Shop.
In 1963, Flint Hills cattle rancher and restaurant owner Zennie Leonida bought Henning out and rebranded the establishment as Leonida’s Restaurant. Mr. Leonida also operated steakhouses at both Emporia and Hutchinson. The Newton location was known as Leonida’s. This became the place to dine at in all of Newton. Opened 24 hours, a fine selection of meal choices were on hand including a Sunday lunch buffet.
During Newton High School years, this writer worked at Leonida’s from June 1979 to August 1980. Dale Sump was manager. His faher, Roy, served as Missouri Pacific agent in town.
In 1980 the Santa Fe requested a rent lease payment increase. Mr.Leonida declined and closed his restaurant which ended a half century tradition of dining inside the Newton depot.