Legends of America – Traveling through American history, destinations & legends since 2003. (original) (raw)
“A railroad is like a lie; you have to keep building it to make it stand.”
Mark Twain
By William A. Pinkerton in 1893 The recent epidemic of train robbing in different sections of the country has naturally caused considerable discussion about the best means of checking this peculiar class of crime. Train robbing has been practiced pretty steadily in the South and West during the last 20 years, but during the last Read More ...
There once was a town in Texas that existed only for a day, and exclusively for one event. To purposely crash two locomotives head-on, September 15, 1896. Crush, TX was an area north of Waco, in a shallow valley near the tracks of the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railroad, also known as the Katy. The Read More ...
The Fred Harvey Company owned the popular Harvey House chain of restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality businesses alongside railroads in the late 1800s. It was founded in 1876 by Fred Harvey to cater to the growing number of train passengers. These facilities were well-renowned for service quality, exceeding the railroad passengers’ needs. Several historic structures Read More ...
All Aboard as the Railroad Crosses America
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The Mysterious Signal
The Mysterious Signal is a ghostly tale based on alleged hauntings that occurred after the disastrous train wreck in Ashtabula, Ohio, in December 1876. Fall is in the air, and the ghosts are getting restless. Read The Mysterious Signal, written by Cy Warman in 1906.
More Legends, Ghosts, Myths & Mysteries
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Did You Know?
Harper’s Weekly – Rock Springs Riot 1885
It was a dark day for Wyoming Territory and an even darker time for freedom and inclusion in America. September 2, 1885, brought violence and mayhem to Rock Springs, and in the end, 28 (some say up to 50) Chinese immigrants lost their lives, and over 75 homes were burned, causing what today would be almost $4 million in property damage. The historic event is now known as the Rock Springs Massacre.
William Becknell blazes the Santa Fe Trail.
On September 1, 1821, Willliam Becknell left Franklin, Missouri, with four trusted companions. After arriving in Santa Fe on November 16 and making an enormous profit, he made plans to return, thus blazing the path that would become known as the Santa Fe Trail. Begin your journey with our extensive collection of articles HERE.
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100 Things To Do on Route 66 Before You Die (2nd Edition)
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Little People & the Pedro Mountain Mummy
Pedro Mountain Mummy
To the Shoshone Indians of Wyoming, this small race of people was known as the Nimerigar, and their legends told of the little people attacking them with tiny bows and poisoned arrows. Read about the Little People & the Pedro Mountain Mummy.
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John Butterfield & the Overland Mail Company
As scheduled, mail started from each end of the 2,800-mile-long stretch on September 16, 1858. The passenger fare was $200. The first westbound trip was made in about 24 days. Learn about John Butterfield & the Overland Mail Company.
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Alexander MacGregor & the Historic Rivertowns of McGregor/Marquette
During the city’s peak, the population exploded to over 5,500 and was the busiest shipping port west of Chicago during the 1870s. The city boasted 120 businesses, 20 of which were associated with the shipping of grain and goods. Everything needed was there for settlers or those just passing through on their way to the western frontier. Read about Alexander MacGregor & the Historic Rivertowns of McGregor/Marquette.
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Kansas City Freeways, courtesy Missouri Department of Transportation.
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Dave & Kathy Alexander at the Glory Hole in Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, Missouri.
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