In 1908, Medicine Mound, was established along the KCM&O rr. By 1929 with a population around 500, it thrived during the early heyday of railroads. But the Depression, the "Dust Bowl Thirties", a 1932 devastating town site fire, and school consolidations drove it to extinction. In 1994 the "doodlebug" as the KCM&O train was called, made its last trip between Sweetwater and Chillicothe, the tracks were abandoned, and in 1996 only twelve people remained in the once prosperous town.
http://www.swco.ttu.edu/WestTexas/indexes/CycloneAugust%2008.pdf
(submitted by Rich A. on 09/13/13)
AT&SF M119 "doodlebug" one of the earlier models on the "Orient." ] [ Photo source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doodlebug_(rail_car) ]
A self-propelled motorcar provided passenger service to short-line and branch lines (that would otherwise be unprofitable). Typically a gasoline-engine generator provided electric power to the wheels. The 539 mile run from Wichita, KS to San Angelo, TX on the Orient (Trains 45 and 46) needed 18 hours, crossing the FW&D (BN) at Chillicothe, TX. The AT&SF took over in 1928, they were dieselized in the early 1950's, and service ended in 1959 on the Orient. [ http://www.hico-tx.com/originals/objects/Katy_Doodlebug.pdf
(submitted by Rich A. on 09/13/13)
The FW&D depot in Electra, TX, which is 47 miles east of Quanah on U.S. 287, has been demolished. When the rr arrived, the first depot was built around 1897 (apparently was one before this one) closed about 1970, still there 2001, gone now
http://railfan.net/lists/rshsdepot-digest/200201/msg00000.html
(submitted by Rich A. on 09/13/13)
The front appears to be "trackside" according to the 1971 photo's shadows.
The "ghost town" of Medicine Mound is southwest of Chillicothe along FM 91 and retains two buildings (a small museum is in one). It is about 5 miles southwest of Chillicothe along FM 91 highway. [NOTE: googlemaps for "8450 spur 91, quanah, tx" will locate on the map near the museum. Description of the town is at: http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasTowns/Medicine-Mound-Texas.htm
The four namesake "medicine mounds" are another mile west on private property, rising about 250 feet above the surrounding plains; The dolomite mounds, which had been protected by caprock over the eons of time, have persisted while the surrounding landscape eroded.
(submitted by Rich A. on 09/13/13)
