History Lesson:
The Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (M-K-T), nicknamed "the Katy," was incorporated in 1865 as the Union Pacific Railway, Southern Branch, with the goal of connecting the Midwest to Texas. It was the first railroad to enter Texas from the north (1872), becoming a vital, 3,000+ mile freight and passenger link from St. Louis to Texas. The line was crucial for transporting cattle and cotton before merging with the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1988.
Key Historical Aspects of the Katy Railroad:
- Origins & Expansion: Founded to link Kansas army outposts to the Indian Territory (Oklahoma), the M-K-T was granted rights to build southward. It reached Denison, Texas, on Christmas Day 1872, later expanding to Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, Houston, and San Antonio.
- "Gateway to Texas": The railroad heavily advertised itself as the "Gateway to Texas," acting as a primary conduit for commerce, cattle, and settlers between the Midwest and Texas.
- Impact on Towns: The railroad's arrival spurred the creation of towns like Denison, which served as a major division headquarters and hub, and Katy, Texas, which was named after the line.
- Final Years: In 1957, passenger service ended, and in 1988, the company was sold to the Missouri Pacific Railroad.
- Legacy: Former lines have been converted into recreational trails, such as the Katy Trail in Dallas and others in Missouri, preserving the railroad's history.
The railroad was a crucial player in the development of the American Southwest and was famously known for its rapid expansion during the post-Civil War era.
Cache Information:
This is a three stage multi-cache. Stage one and two are both visible waypoints and both will have to be visited, in any order, to get the coordinates to the final. The final coordinates are N 33 46.ABC W 96 31.DEF. Stage one will answer the north coordinates and stage two will answer the west coordinates.
At stage one is a monument commemorating the restoration of the original Katy Park. Take a look at this monument and find the answer to the question below. This answer will give you ABC.
What was the engine number of the first train to enter Texas from the North?
No. 6-- 583
No. 9-- 592
No.12-- 605
No.15-- 614
At stage two is a State of Texas Historical Marker. Read this marker to find the answer to the question below. This answer will give you DEF.
How many cities did L.S. Owings dispatch a telegram to?
5-- 822
6-- 922
7-- 968
8-- 868
Stage 3, the final, is about a mile away near a welcoming sign.