BONNE TERRE HISTORY

The St. Joe Lead Company's first railroad was a narrow gauge line which went to a pump house along Big River. In 1890 the company finished installation of a new standard gauge line. This Mississippi River & Bonne Terre Railroad connected the mines to the main line railroad which connected to the new lead smelter at Herculaneum. The company also used this line to bring in supplies and equipment. The railroad also offered passenger service until the early 1940's. Many area residents took advantage of this service for excursions to St. Louis. In addition many immigrants and others arrived at the depot to start new lives working for the mining companies. For more information, see Blackwell, Robert M., "Bonne Terre: The First Hundred Years", Bonne Terre Centennial Corporation, 1964. This book is available in the reference section of the library