Runnymede Depot...

"The Runneymede depot that you have written about was not located at the original town of Runneymede. If they had been able to get a railroad to Runneymede the old town might have survived. The town was founded in 1887 and by 1893 the town was abandoned and the hotel was on its way to Alva.

The town of Runneymede was then re-established 2-1/2 miles south when the Orient railroad tracks were laid. The depot in question would have been located at the second townsite and belonged to the Santa Fe after they purchased the M.K.C.&O. out of bankruptcy.

There is an historical sign located at the roadside park where the second townsite was located along K-2 highway. The railroad line paralled K-2 and K-42 highway all the way from Harper to Wichita except for a short run through Milton. The old Milton Depot is located in Harper and presently houses the Harper Art Society.

Having graduated from Milton, I remember when the depot was active. The last agent was Mr. Foster Barker.

I remember driving K-2 and K-42 when they were gravel highways and we used to 'race' along the highway beside the old steam engines.

I just wanted to make it clear that the original Runneymede town did not have a railroad. The town fathers led by Mr. Ned Turnley used every effort available and almost succeeded but at the last moment everything fell apart, even with the funding in place. It quickly became a ghost town." -- Gilvin Walker - Harper, Kansas

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