County of marker: Warren County
Location of marker: Katy Trail, Market St. & Koch Creek Rd., Treloar
Marker erected: 2012
Marker erected by: Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Marker text:
The Iron Horse Cultivates America
Farm to Market
Today's modern shopper can walk through a grocery store and have every type of commodity they want within arm's reach, thanks in part to the railroad. We have come a long way since the frontier days when produce such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products were not easily available to everyone.
The growth of the American population throughout the 19th century paralleled the demand for transportation of goods, people and commercial products across the country. Railroad tracks paved the way for today's market and distribution of goods and people.
The Wheels of Change Begin to Turn
The cowboy roamed the open range, the rickety wagons traveling west along the Santa Fe and Oregon trails and even the steamboats traversing the mighty waters of the Missouri could not compete with the "iron horse" and its ability to satisfy the needs of the booming population.
As late as 1852, steamboats still dominated the transportation scene. By 1890, however, railroads crisscrossing the nation became the dominant form of transportation for goods. Railroads produced a greater profit on shipments than river boats by decreasing time in transit and reducing loss of cargo. Reduced transportation cost lowered retail prices. Expanding markets encouraged farmers to produce more cash crops like corn, wheat and sorghum. Farmers also supplemented their income by harvesting timber to make railroad ties.
Refrigerated Cars and the Urban Diet
Producers of perishable commodities especially benefited from the railroad. Prior to the advent of railroads, some American cities had become so congested that it was nearly impossible to import fresh milk. To compensate for this lack in dairy products, urban dairies were created. In these unsanitary facilities, cows were fed whatever was readily available including distillery and brewery slop supplemented with kitchen garbage.
Implementation of new health regulations and refrigerated train cars increased the delivery of milk to urban areas. This put an end to urban dairies. From 1842 to 1843, 750,000 gallons of milk were delivered to New York City. Wisconsin's rail connection to Chicago earned the state its claim to fame as a prominent dairy provider.
The advance of railroads into the South and the West also meant cities could import a steady supply of fresh fruits and vegetables. Highly perishable produce, such as strawberries, became readily available to urban residents.