J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "Arkansas Locomotive" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Paper.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood Legendary Locomotives of the 50 States Arkansas Commemorative Cover postmarked May 6, 1995.

By the 1850s, railroad fever was running high in Arkansas, and within a few years construction began on two railways that would eventually create the "Natural State's" primary transportation system. In 1851, the St. Louis & Iron Mountain was chartered to build southwest from St. Louis. By 1872, its southern extension reached the Missouri-Arkansas border. The Cairo & Fulton, chartered in 1854, also followed a southwesterly route. It stretched across the Mississippi River, making stops in Cairo, Illinois, and Fulton, Arkansas, as it traveled to the Texas-Arkansas border. In 1873, the Cairo & Fulton connected with the Texas & Pacific line at Texarkana, and the following year, on May 6, 1874, it consolidated with the St. Louis & Iron Mountain to form the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway. This merger produced a 685-mile system that included 195 miles of branches, providing Arkansas with a vital economic link to businesses in both St. Louis and Memphis. A few years later, as part of his grand scheme to create a southwestern system, railroad tycoon Jay Gould acquired the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern, and soon his rail lines, including the Missouri Pacific, dominated traffic between St. Louis and east Texas. Pictured as it appeared in 1890, is the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern's engine No. 399 resting in front of a handsome wooden train station at Little Rock, Arkansas. This 4-4-0 type passenger engine was built by Grant Locomotive Works in 1868.

Image Size: 14 x 12 in.
Overall Size: 18 x 15 in.
Unframed.
(B15019)

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