Synopses & Reviews
"Katy Northwest will be of interest to scholars who are concerned with the economic, social, and political ramifications... of all light railroad branch lines... Will be warmly received by rail buffs and by loyal friends of the Katy." --from the Foreword by John W. Barriger, Special Assistant, Federal Railroad Administration, and former president of the Katy
"If you are coming to this book for the first time, dive in! If you're picking it up again after an absence, welcome back. The Northwest District may be gone, but it lives forever here." --Fred Finley
More than just a history of a branch line railroad, this is a premiere book, with not only facts and figures, but also excellent historical writing. It details Katy Northwest's birth, maturation, and decline as well as the devastating effect of its death on the communities it served.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 271-297) and index.
About the Author
Donovan L. Hofsommer, President of the prestigious Lexington Group, was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He received his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Northern Iowa, and his Ph. D. from Oklahoma State University. He currently teaches history at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Introduction
Farewell to Cow Country
Joseph A. Kemp: The Energizer
Enter Frank Kell
The Kemp and Kell Roads
Truly Northwestern
To the Panhandle... and Beyond?
Settling and Civilizing: The Railroad and the Filling-In Process
The Wichita Falls and Northwestern Railway
KATY and Hard Times
Bottles of Bourbon, Barrels of Oil: The Burkburnett Boom
The Beaver, Meade and Englewood Railroad: The Home Road: 1912-1923
BM&E West: 1924-1927
Panhandle Odyssey: The BM&E: 1928-1931
The "Orphan" No More: Sale of the BM&E
The Belle Epoque KATY Northwest: 1923-1949
For Better or for Worse: The BM&E: 1931-1949
Men and Events: The Northwestern District
Deramus and Damnation
From Branch Line to Short Line: The Hollis and Eastern Railroad
An Early Autumn: The BM&E: 1950-1969
Decision for Euthanasia: The Death Warrant
Muddy Tires and Broken Rails
Denouement?
Endnotes
Index