Elgin Kansas

Today we ventured through Elgin, Kansas.  A town that's trying to survive population around 90 people.  Established in 1869, located on the Kansas/Oklahoma state line.   Was the largest cattle shipping site, and the hangout of the Dalton Boys.

Loon 

Beautiful arch bridge spanning the Cedar Creek

Train trestle remains

Cedar Creek Arch Bridge

Stunning

beautiful rock work for the train trestle

A Town to Tough to Die

First store, school, saw mill, church, and Masonic Lodge 

in the county of Chautauqua county.

Elgin Bank

founded in 1901

est 1905

Brick road

You can only hold on for so long!

Horse Drawn Grader

almost forgotten

looking out over the bridge, down to the water

Harts Mill

1870

Photo's from the past!

Postcard address to Elgin

Stone Arch Bridge on abandoned rail line

Cattle Pens

1905

Masonic Lodge

1905

Unloading at Elgin, Kansas

Turning Table Elgin, Kansas

Train Depot Elgin

With the arrival of the railroad in 1886, Elgin became a major shipping point for cattle from Texas

and the Indian Territory for hungry mouths back East.  Elgin is mentioned repeatedly in the history 

of the land run and oil boom towns of northeastern Oklahoma, with tales of outlaws, bank robbers,

and the like.

Elgin Dipping Vat

In 1902, 6,500 cattle cars were shipped out of Elgin, but by 1910, 

Elgin's reign as the premier cattle rail head was coming to an end.  

Iron Bridge

Elgin Bank

In 1920 Elgin boomed again with the discovery of oil in 1920, and city water system

and bricked streets were added to the town.  

Population peaked during boom at about 2,500 people, 

but by 1924, oil in

the area had played out.  

Rail service ended in 1939 and the new highways bypassed

the town.