An ad for the Rock Island, perhaps from the 1950s, featuring a map of Arkansas communities served by the railroad. Click to enlarge.
I’ve been researching the Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas off and on since 1988, recording interviews with former employees, traveling around the state to look for relics of the once grand railroad and working to learn as much as I can about its operations. I’m most proud of a project I’ve been involved with to preserve the Rock Island’s depot in Perry, which was to have been torn down. I’ve shared much of that material here with interviews that you can listen to and photos that I’ve taken or collected.
The bankrupt railroad was shut down in March 1980 by order of a federal judge at the urging of creditor Henry Crown who felt it was worth more dead than alive, with all assets liquidated. In Arkansas, most of its tracks were taken up, except for a few stretches now operated by other railroads. It was a major loss for many communities, especially those that didn’t have service from another railroad or direct interstate access.
Preserving the Rock Island Depot at Perry, Arkansas
The Rock Island Depot at Perry, Arkansas, as it looked in 2017 when a campaign was launched to preserve the historic structure.
The century-old depot at Perry was slated to be torn down in 2017 by the shortline Little Rock & Western Railway, which was created after the shutdown of the Rock Island to operate a 79-mile stretch of track from Little Rock to Danville. That started what seemed like a longshot idea to raise money to preserve the depot, which was extremely significant to the history of the community. This is the last Rock Island depot still standing in Arkansas west of Little Rock along what was part of the mainline that ran from Memphis, Tennessee to Tucumcari, New Mexico.
Five years later, thanks to the donations of a lot of people and the dedication of local leaders, the depot has been moved to an adjacent city-owned property, still alongside the tracks. A cinderblock foundation was built to set it on, the roof has been replaced, and thanks to the help of state officials, the depot was listed in 2021 on the National Register of Historic Places. I’ve been working with the Perry County Historical & Genealogical Society and written extensively about the project every step of the way. You can read the latest on the link below, including how to support the preservation by making a donation.
Preserving the Former Rock Island Passenger Depot at Perry, Arkansas
My book: Rock Island Railroad In Arkansas
As part of Arcadia Publishing’s Images of Rail series, my book Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas was released in April 2017. It’s a collection of mostly historic photos from locations around the state. I knew it would be a challenge finding high resolution images, then writing and assembling the book, but it was a rewarding process that allowed me to connect with many people about the railroad.
After the release of the book I spoke at several events, some of which were recorded and can be watched on the link. My first lecture, which came the day after the book’s release, was appropriately enough held at the Clinton School of Public Service, which is housed in the building that was once the Rock Island’s Little Rock passenger station. You can watch that, an interview I recorded for a half-hour program on AETN, which is Arkansas’s PBS outlet, and hear an hour-long radio program Arts & Letters. READ MORE.
Podcast series: Rock Island Railroad In Arkansas
To accompany the book, I began producing a series of podcast episodes featuring interviews recorded over the last several decades with former Rock Island employees and others to tell the history of the railroad in the state and its legacy. The series is available on Apple Podcasts and episodes can be listened to below.
Full interviews with former Rock Island employees
For those interested in hearing more about the railroad, I’m also posting the full interviews I have recorded over the years with former employees on the first link below. I have also been working to digitize a treasure trove of hundreds of cassette tapes with interviews recorded by Tom Sandlin, which is on the following link. Hearing first-hand accounts of things that happened is extremely interesting. Some employees had dramatic experiences while other share insights on the operation of the Rock Island.
Buying and moving Rock Island caboose 17883
In 2003, my family bought and moved Rock Island caboose 17883, which was built in 1930. We were hoping to restore it into a guesthouse on my parent’s property, but the large piece of land got to be too much as they grew older and was sold. However, the person who today lives on the property has continued restoration efforts. On the link you can read a detailed account of the project, see photos and a TV report about the move of the caboose.
News stories related to the Rock Island
In recent years as news director for NPR station KUAR-FM 89.1 in Little Rock I’ve done a few stories related to the Rock Island, which you can read on the links.
Sign Celebrates Railroad Past Of Little Rock’s Historic Choctaw Building
Aug. 29, 2016 – Former employees of the Rock Island Railroad joined officials from the Clinton Foundation and Clinton School of Public Service Monday, August 29, to unveil a vintage sign attached to the brick facade of what was the railroad’s longtime Little Rock passenger station. Today the two organizations, aligned with Bill Clinton’s neighboring presidential library, have offices in the restored building.
Hundreds Turn Out For Dedication Of Clinton Presidential Park Bridge
Sept. 30, 2011 – Former President Bill Clinton led a dedication ceremony Friday in Little Rock for a new $10.5 million pedestrian and cycling pathway over the Arkansas River, which was built inside an old railroad bridge. He was joined by his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, daughter Chelsea, and the mayors of Little Rock and North Little Rock.
Ceremony To Begin Renovations Of Former Rock Island Bridge Over Arkansas River
May 28, 2010 – Work is finally getting underway to renovate the 111-year-old Rock Island Bridge adjacent to the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock. Former President Bill Clinton is to lead a groundbreaking ceremony Friday morning at the bridge, which at one time was slated to be torn down.
Fight Over Whether To Turn Former Railroad Bed Into Highway
May 7, 2009 – A battle is brewing in Saline County between community leaders who want to build a highway over an abandoned railroad bed and homeowners who say it would encroach on their property. It would provide another route connecting Benton and Little Rock. Walking on a clear path where tracks once carried the trains of the Rock Island Railroad, Irene Thompson said, “Looking at it, it’s unbelievable isn’t it?” But she and her husband Tommy dread the thought of a highway being constructed on their property.
It has a slow process getting much of this material on my website. But as of this writing in 2022, I’m making a more concerted effort to share this as I know there are so many people interested in the history of this once proud railroad.
