South Dakota Central Railway

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The South Dakota Central Railway was a railroad that ran between the cities of Sioux Falls and Watertown. The railroad was organized and operated by local businessmen.[1] Sioux Falls lawyer Joe Kirby served as the railroad's vice president and attorney.

History[]

Construction of the line began in 1904. The new towns were created along the line are as follows: Crooks, Colton, , Chester, Nunda, Sinai, Lyons, Lake Norden, Ahnberg, Rutland, Badger, Thomas, , and Hayti.[2] Frederick Maytag invested in the railroad in 1904. At about the same time he established the Maytag Company which made washing machines.[3]

The railroad suffered chronic financial difficulties.[4] It went into receivership in 1908 and was sold in 1916 in accordance with a bankruptcy court order. It was bought by the , which itself was sold to the Great Northern Railway in December 1928.[5][6]

Maytag lost money on his railroad investment, and even reimbursed friends who invested in the venture on his advice.[7]

References[]

  1. ^ The Influence of Railroads Upon the Process and Patterns of Settlement in South Dakota, by James Frederic Hamburg (1970), page 266
  2. ^ The Influence of Railroads Upon the Process and Patterns of Settlement in South Dakota, by James Frederic Hamburg (1970), page 266
  3. ^ Biographical Dictionary of American Business Leaders (1983) H-M page 875
  4. ^ http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM6AZX_South_Dakota_Central_Lake_Norden_South_Dakota
  5. ^ US Interstate Commerce Reports (Valuation Reports) 1927, pages 207-208
  6. ^ Middleton, Kenneth R.; Keyes, Norman C. (Jr.) (Autumn 1980). "The Great Northern Railway Company: Predecessors and Fully-Controlled Subsidiaries". Railroad History. Boston, MA: The Railway and Locomotive Historical Society (143): 16, 18.
  7. ^ Biographical Dictionary of American Business Leaders (1983) H-M page 875
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