Description
In 1868, Cyrus K. Holliday obtained a charter and raised capital for a new railroad that began running in Kansas the following
year. He dreamed of a railway to replace covered wagons along the Santa Fe Trail between Independence, Missouri and Santa
Fe, New Mexico. By 1890, 9000 miles of track had been laid. The railway became bankrupt in the Panic of 1893, but was bought
by Edward Payson Ripley, who added 2000 miles of track creating one of the largest privately-owned rail systems in the world.
The collection consists of correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, clippings, maps, books, and other printed material relating
to the formation, development, and history of the Santa Fe Railroad.
Background
In 1868 farmer, lawyer and first mayor of Topeka, Kansas, Cyrus K. Holliday obtained a charter and raised capital for a new
railroad that began running in Kansas the following year; he dreamed of a railway to replace covered wagons along the Santa
Fe Trail between Independence, Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico; by 1890, 9000 miles of track had been laid; the railway
became bankrupt in the Panic of 1893, but was bought by Edward Payson Ripley, who added 2000 miles of track; it became one
of the largest privately-owned rail systems in the world, with passenger service from Chicago to San Francisco and Los Angeles,
and with the bulk of its business in freight.
Extent
3.0 Linear Feet
(6 boxes and 1 oversize package)
Restrictions
Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright,
are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright
and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Availability
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.