The Wheels of Change Ends an Era

Plain Dealing Depot c 1910s.
Bryce Turnley Collection: 1997.062.108

The American railroad system was built around the turn of the nineteenth century. Today, many towns in America owe their existence to being selected for a railroad depot. Whether pre-existing or established by the railroad, any place chosen as a depot experienced significant growth from the commerce that followed. Plain Dealing enjoyed such growth as a depot on the Cotton Belt Railroad.

The depot was built there in February 1888, with the track reaching Shreveport a couple of months later. Mrs. Julia Rule, one of Shreveport's most popular women and newspaper columnists, was given the honor of driving the golden spike in Bossier City. The following month telegraph offices were opened at Vanceville, Benton, Alden Bridge, Plain Dealing, and Bradley, AR.

Plain Dealing Depot c 1910s. Photograph by John H. Allen

Located in the center of town, the depot was a vital landmark used in the town's charter to specify the town limits in terms of distance from the depot. According to Manry, "Young and old would meet the northbound train from Shreveport every evening. Drummers would be ushered to waiting hacks, and friends and relatives would be helped down the steps from the train cars. All the daily news that was fit to hear was repeated at the depot when the train arrived."

Plain Dealing Depot, c 1950s.
Bryce Turnley collection: 1997.062.321

In 1971, after 83-years in operation, the announcement of its closing was reported to The Shreveport Journal by correspondent J.A. Manry. The closing of this depot was the end of an era, evidence of the wheels of change. While for many decades, the trains serviced passengers and freight. But with the advent of automobiles and airplanes led most railroad companies to stop pulling passenger cars and focus strictly on hauling freight.

With the focus on freight, the decision to close the depot in Plain Dealing was in the name of efficiency, to allow freight trains to highball through town. The last depot agent here was Ben Bethany. He was transferred to Waldo, AR. Tomorrow will be the 50th anniversary of the closing of the depot. The railroad's last Morse circuit was dismantled while railroad officials gathered to check it out. Cuspidors, clocks, coal shuttles, lanterns, hand grenades, cotton hooks, ticket cases, and trucks were inventoried and hauled away.

Plain Dealing Depot.
Source: The Shreveport Journal, Dec. 31, 1971

The big question lingering in everyone's mind was, what would happen to the old depot building? The St. Louis Southwestern Railway Company offered to give the building to the town as long as it moved it away within three months. At that time, Mayor Leon Sanders stated, "he would consult with the town's inhabitants and the town council would decide its new location and the purpose for which it will be used."

However, meeting minutes of the Town of Plain Dealing reveal that "After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Alderman Southerland and duly seconded by Alderman Pittman that the donation be declined and that the mayor be authodized [sic] to draft a letter to the Railway Company stating the reasons for the refusal. This motion being put to vote carried unanimously." Unfortunately, the minutes did not give insight into the reasons for the refusal.

By: Amy Robertson