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Throwback Thursday: The St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad
Did you know? Downtown Lebanon owes much of its early growth to the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad—and in 1914, our community took a big step forward with a brand-new depot to welcome visitors and freight.
The original station, built in 1868, had become too small to keep up with demand. So, a larger, more modern depot was constructed, complete with a baggage room, freight room, office, and waiting areas. And in a big upgrade for the time—it even featured an indoor toilet! Now that’s fancy for 1914!
The new depot sat just behind the businesses of West Commercial Street, serving a bustling downtown scene. Nearby, the Laclede Hotel was a hotspot for tourists, and local shops—including a tack & saddle shop and cigar store—greeted passengers stepping off the train.
Before the Civil War, the railroad only stretched as far south as Rolla, making Lebanon a difficult and often dangerous journey by horse or wagon. But once the train arrived, our town became a key stop—helping shape the thriving downtown we know today!
A huge shoutout to Eric D. Tudor at Laclede Relics for sharing this incredible piece of history. Thanks for keeping Lebanon’s past alive!
#DowntownLebanonMO#ThrowbackThursday#LocalHistory#LebanonMO
