Sioux City Rapid Transit Company
Sioux City Rapid Transit Company
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Product Details
Beautifully engraved antique stock certificate from the Sioux City Rapid Transit Company dating back to the 1880's. This document, which is signed by the company President and Secretary was printed by the Sioux City Printing Co. and measures approximately 11" (w) by 8" (h).
The vignette on this piece features an elevated train with a horse and buggy below.
Images
You will receive the exact certificate pictured.
Historical Context
During the 1880s, the Morningside area of Sioux City began to develop as a pleasant suburb east of the downtown area. It had advantages over the north side. Since it was not as hilly and steep, streets and lots required less grading. Unfortunately, the journey from downtown Sioux City to Morningside was not an easy one. Wagons and buggies had to cross swampy land, the Floyd River and eighty-four railroad and streetcar tracks!
The idea for an elevated railway originated with Sioux City businessman and promoter Arthur Garretson. He owned property in Morningside and would profit if a convenient connection to Morningside could be created. Garretson convinced other local businessmen such as E.C. Peters and William Gordon. Along with Eastern investors, this group of Sioux City promoters organized the Sioux City Rapid Transit Company. The money for the elevated was quickly raised, and construction was planned.
The Sioux City Elevated Railway was a grand venture, costing over $586,000 to build. It was the third steam-powered elevated in the world. In 1892, it was changed to electric power and became the first electric-powered elevated railway in the world.
Construction began in April 1890, and the line opened for business April 16, 1891. From the elevated Downtown Station at Third and Jones Streets, passengers traveled 22 feet above the ground, east on Third Street, across the Floyd River and south on Division Street. The elevated section then reached ground level at Leech Avenue (near what is now Highway 75) and traveled along the surface out Transit Avenue to Peters Park. The line had two miles of elevated track and three miles on the surface.
The fare was five cents or six rides for a quarter. As a special promotion for Morningside development, families buying a residence in Morningside would receive a year's free pass for the elevated railway.
The elevated railway was successful in opening the Morningside area for development. It even had some unforeseen benefits during the Floyd River Flood of 1892. Many lives were saved when residents were able to climb the stairs up to the tracks and escape the flood waters below. A local hero, Andrew G. Anderson, saved many lives that night by carrying and guiding people to safety at the main elevated station. The flood carried away the steps to the station, so victims had to walk the tracks to others stations to get home.
Plans were being made to expand the elevated line into Riverside and further east into Morningside, but the Financial Panic of 1893 put an end to any expansion. The company went into bankruptcy and the elevated portion of the railway was stopped when the system was reorganized in March of 1899.
Additional Information
Certificates carry no value on any of today's financial indexes and no transfer of ownership is implied. All items offered are collectible in nature only. So, you can frame them, but you can't cash them in!
All of our pieces are original - we do not sell reproductions. If you ever find out that one of our pieces is not authentic, you may return it for a full refund of the purchase price and any associated shipping charges.
FAQ
Are the certificates offered on your site genuine or reproductions?
All of the certificates you see on our site are genuine pieces, we do not sell any reproductions.Are the certificates you sell negotiable on any of today's stock markets or indexes?
No. All of the pieces we sell are either canceled or obsolete and have collectible value only.
Are the images presented in your product listings of the exact piece I will receive?
It depends. We try to present images of the exact piece you will receive whenever possible. However, when we are offering quantities of a piece, this is impossible. Within every product page we detail whether or not you will be receiving the exact certificate listed, or if the image is a representative example of the one you will receive.
How will you ship my order and how much do you charge?
We ship all orders via the United States Postal Service. Most domestic orders are shipped via Ground Advantage. USPS International, Priority and Express Mail, UPS and DHL services are also available, and costs are calculated during checkout. Current charges may be reviewed here.
Can I return my purchase?
Absolutely. You may return any merchandise, for any reason, within 30 days of the purchase date for a full refund of the purchase price.
We guarantee all of our pieces to be authentic. If you ever determine that a piece is not authentic, it may be returned for a full refund of the purchase price as well as any associated shipping charges.
Shipping
If your order exceeds $35, and the shipping address is within the United States, shipping via USPS Ground Advantage is FREE!
We make every effort to ship out all orders within 24 hours of receipt.
We ship the majority of orders via the USPS, with domestic orders using the Ground Advantage service.
Shipping is calculated during checkout. Upgraded services such as Priority and Express Mail, as well as UPS and DHL options, are also available.
As soon as your order is shipped you will receive your tracking information via email.
OVERSEAS ORDERS PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DECLARE FULL ORDER VALUE ON ALL SHIPMENTS. CUSTOMER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL VAT/CUSTOMS CHARGES.
Returns
Our goal is to make sure every item you receive is exactly what you had in mind. If you not happy with your purchase, we’ll help you get it sorted in a timely and professional manner.
You can return anything we offer for an exchange, refund or store credit within 30 days of delivery. Return shipping costs may apply, and the item must be in its original condition and packaging.
Any shipping charges collected on the original order are not eligible for a refund.