Toppenish, Washington

 
  From the files of J.M. Fredrickson

 
 
The original depot which was remodeled into a freight house.


Authority for Expenditure 588-1911
Moving present depot and converting into freight house, Toppenish, Washington.

Jess D. Koren, Division Engineer, Spokane, January 11, 1911
Moving Building - Labor 100
10,000 FBM lumber - Labor 120; Material 120
Hardware and Nails - Material 75
Mill Work - Labor 25; Material 40
Rearranging partitions, doors, windows for office - Labor 100
Unloading Material - Labor 50
Engineering/Incidentals - Labor 90
20,000 FBM platform - Labor 312; Material 312
225 feet four inch cast iron pipe - Labor 15.75; Material 96.75
2 fire hydrants with hose and rack - Labor 40; Material 50
Excavation/Backfilling 100 CY - Labor 50
Engineering/Incidentals - Labor 41.77
Operating Charges - 1,220
Additions and Betterments Charges - 928

James Lyndes DeForce, Superintendent, Pasco Division, Pasco, RFA 28, January 27, 1911
Authority is requested for an expenditure as per detailed estimate attached of $2,148. Charges to be made against Northern Pacific for entire cost as per estimate of Division Engineer [Jess D.] Koren, dated January 11, 1911. The expenditure is recommended for the following reasons: On account of the increased business at Toppenish it is necessary that we extend our depot facilities. The present building is far too small and not very favorably located. By moving the present combination depot and converting it into a freight depot, and constructing a new building for passenger accommodation, we can meet the demands for some time to come.

DeForce to Ira Burton Richards, General Superintendent, Tacoma, September 2, 1911
Kindly advise if my RFA 28 ... has been authorized. We should get authority for this work before track changes are completed in order not to delay work.

Richards to DeForce, September 8, 1911
Not yet authorized but we have asked that approval be hurried. Should hear from it within a few days.
Hand written note: Jim - Tell CS not to move any portion of it until advised - 9/10.

DeForce to C. Simensen, Supervisor, B&B, Pasco, September 11, 1911
Please do not do any work in connection with moving the present depot at Toppenish until you receive instructions from this office.

Richards to DeForce, September 13, 1911
You may go ahead at once moving old depot at Toppenish and remodel same for freight house as per RFA 28.

DeForce to Simensen, September 15, 1911
You may go ahead and move the old depot at Toppenish as soon as the new depot is completed and in use.

DeForce to Simensen, September 30, 1911
The moving of the present depot at Toppenish and converting it into a freight house has been authorized under Improvement No. 588.

DeForce to H.A. Gray, Comptroller, St. Paul, May 14, 1912
Work completed December, 1911. Material - 890; Labor - 962.69; Total - 1,852.69; Estimate - 2,148.10. Difference in labor account work done under more favorable conditions than anticipated.




Pasco Division
Second Sub-Division
1912
Mile Post Telegraph Call Station From Pasco
1721 Pa Pasco 000.0
1724 K Kennewick 002.1
1729 Rf Vista 007.1
1739 Ba Badger 016.2
1745 Ki Kiona 023.1
1756 Gi Gibbon 033.8
1762 Pr Prosser 039.5
1774 Mb Mabton 051.4
1782 Su Satus 059.7
1792 Tn TOPPENISH 070.1
1800 Wa Wapato 077.4
1800 Kr Parker 081.7
1811 Ya N. Yakima 089.1
1815 Ah Selah 093.1
1819 Ma Pomona 096.4
1827 Ra Roza 104.6
1832 On Wymer 109.2
1836 Um Umtanum 113.4
1843 Ro Thrall 121.0
1848 Eb Ellensburg 125.8



DeForce, James Lyndes.
Superintendent.
Office: Spokane, Washington.
Born: September 21, 1858, at Northeast, Erie County, Pennsylvania.
Education: Public schools.
Entered railway service: April, 1878, since which he has been consecutively to 1887, brakeman, freight and passenger conductor and train dispatcher, Southern Pacific at Los Angeles, California; 1887 to 1889, freight and passenger conductor and train dispatcher, Northern Pacific at Missoula, Montana; 1890 to 1891, conductor and train dispatcher, Missouri Pacific at Little Rock, Arkansas; 1891 to 1905, train dispatcher, chief dispatcher and trainmaster, Northern Pacific at Sprague, Washington; May, 1905, to 1914, superintendent, Pasco Division, same road, at Pasco, Washington; 1914 to date, superintendent, Idaho Division, same road, Spokane, Washington.
Howson, Elmer T., D. A. Steel, and J. B. Tebo, editors. The Biographical Directory of the Railway Officials of America, 1922 edition. New York: Simmons-Boardman, 1922, p. 163.



Koren, Jess D.
District Engineer.
Office: Spokane, Washington.
Born: April 27, 1856, at Christiania, Norway.
Education: Throndjem Technical School, 1875.
Entered railway service: September, 1883, as draftsman, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault St. Marie, since which he has been consecutively to August, 1890, assistant engineer, same road; August, 1890, to May, 1907, assistant engineer on maintenance, draftsman, and assistant engineer, and chief draftsman in Chief Engineer’s Office, Northern Pacific; May, 1907, to 1919, division engineer, same road, at Spokane, Washington; 1919 to date, district engineer, same road.
Howson, Elmer T., D. A. Steel, and J. B. Tebo, editors. The Biographical Directory of the Railway Officials of America, 1922 edition. New York: Simmons-Boardman, 1922, p. 353.



Richards, Ira Burton (May 20, 1864, to April 7, 1926).
Superintendent Transportation.
Office: Tacoma, Washington.
Born: May 20, 1864, at Bowling Green, Missouri.
Education: Public schools.
Entered railway service: 1883 as operator, Chicago and Alton, since which he has been consecutively to 1885, operator Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe at Socorro, New Mexico; 1886, operator and dispatcher St. Louis, Arkansas and Texas at Pine Bluff, Arkansas; 1887, operator Western Union Telegraph at Galveston and Dallas, Texas; 1889, operator Texas and Pacific at Dallas, Denison and Marshall, Texas; May, 1890 to 1892, dispatcher, Northern Pacific at Tacoma, Washington; 1892 to 1894, assistant chief dispatcher, same road; 1895 to 1899, assistant trainmaster; 1899 to 1903, trainmaster, same road; 1903 to May 12, 1910, superintendent, Car Service, and superintendent, Transportation; May 12, 1910, to October, 1920, general superintendent, same road; October, 1920 to date, superintendent, Transportation, Lines West; same road at Tacoma, Washington.
Howson, Elmer T., D. A. Steel, and J. B. Tebo, editors. The Biographical Directory of the Railway Officials of America, 1922 edition. New York: Simmons-Boardman, 1922, pp. 524-525.
















































Visit the Northern Pacific Railway Museum in Toppenish's Web site.
The new depot which today serves as the Northern Pacific Railway Museum in Toppenish.


Authority for Expenditure 34-1911
Toppenish, Washington, new passenger depot.

Jess D. Koren, Division Engineer, Spokane, to James Lyndes DeForce, Superintendent, Pasco, July 27, 1911
Have you any advise as to when you will receive a steam shovel for the Toppenish work? The curbing is being put in and filing for platform should be done, but I do not like to have this filled and tamped until I have some material on the outside of the curb, as it is over three feet high, and only eight inches thick.

DeForce to Ira Burton Richards, General Superintendent, Tacoma, July 28, 1911
How soon can we expect the steam shovel to get out material in connection with the grading at Toppenish? Mr. Koren advises that they are ready to go ahead with the curbing for the platform, but cannot do any work until the filling is done.

Koren to DeForce, September 13, 1911
The charge of erecting steam shovel on grading to this depot nearly five days should also be divided for filling behind depot and tracks.

Fred Browne, Roadmaster, Pasco, to DeForce, September 15, 1911
I estimate it will require anywhere from 50 to 100 cars of cinders to completely cover these driveways, but as Mr. Koren states, this need not be done at once. Think he is right in his assumption that cinders will be better for this work than gravel.

Richards to DeForce, September 27, 1911
Frances, Wash. - Am now figuring on leaving Ellensburg tomorrow morning on gas car. Please be on hand with Browne. Could not make arrangements to Pasco and will have to double back from Pasco to North Yakima on Saturday.

J. Wartinbee, Pasco, to DeForce, Walla Walla and Dixie, September 27, 1911
Mr. Richards advises that he wants to leave Ellensburg tomorrow A.M. on gas car. Wants you and Browne to accompany him. Have advised Browne.

DeForce to Browne, Roadmaster, North Yakima, September 27, 1911
Please arrange to accompany Mr. Richards out of Ellensburg tomorrow A.M. on gas car.

Koren to Browne, September 27, 1911
I have received enclosed bill for leveling at NP depot at Toppenish. I don't understand just how much of this work this covers. I presume you have the date and if you can have this turned in with other work and voucher made for it and then bill on me, I wish you would do so as all of this work was handled by you.

Koren to DeForce, October 4, 1911
I will recommend that we get cinders enough for the driveways, this would mean about six inches of cinders around the depot, and on the other driveways from the depot to the street. The grading is otherwise completed. There could be a little more put in, but I understand there was not any more to be hand in the cut where the steam shovel was located. I do not think that it will be more expensive to put cinders on the driveways than it would be with gravel, and it would make a much better job.

DeForce to Browne, Roadmaster, Pasco, October 6, 1911
Again referring to the mater of filling in the station grounds at Toppenish. It has been decided to do this work with cinders. I will arrange to have all cinders billed to Toppenish. You should see that they are unloaded promptly and the driveways fixed up first.

Koren to DeForce, Pasco, October 10, 1911
Referring to your letter of October 6 to Mr. Browne, in regard to cinders for drive way at Toppenish. I think we should have the freight house track constructed so as to unload from this and save some haul. The expense of unloading and distributing cinders should be charged up to the cost of preparing the depot grounds. I am making up an estimate for this now and will send you for RFA.

DeForce to Henry Olson, Toppenish, October 10, 1911
For team labor performed during the months of August and September, leveling around new passenger depot at Toppenish, as per bill certified by Roadmaster Browne, August 29-31, September 1-7, 9, 11, 15, 205 hours at .50 cents per hour, $102.50.

Koren to DeForce, October 12, 1911
Please wire me total number of cars unloaded By Steam Shovel 22, [number] cars used at Toppenish depot and [number] cars for Toppenish tracks for August and September separately.

DeForce to S.H. Timmrock, Toppenish, October 14, 1911
For team labor performed during the month of September leveling around new depot at Toppenish as per bill certified by Roadmaster Browne, September 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 48 hours at .50 cents, $24.

DeForce to Koren, October 14, 1911
Number of cars used at Toppenish Depot in August 180; tracks 40, total 220, in September for depot 115, for track 309, for ballast 24, total 448.

Koren to DeForce, October 13, 1911
I do not have the total number of cars unloaded at Toppenish but I have total cars unloaded on the depot grounds. Mr. Todt kept a careful check on this, and his statement show 108 cars in August, and 100 cars in September. In accordance with this your distribution of the cost for depot grounds and tracks is not correct. You have 81.8 percent for the Toppenish depot grounds in August, while it should be about 50 percent. For September your distribution is also a little in excess for the passenger depot, but this is not enough to warrant any change. The amount of cars I have given you for the depot grounds includes eleven cars which were dumped at the extreme end of the station grounds, but as this work is on the depot site it can be considered as station ground work.

DeForce to V.F. Erickson, work train conductor, October 14, 1911
The Engineering Department claims that but 108 cars gravel were unloaded at Toppenish depot during August. Report received from you AM Lidgerwood waybills shows 180. Please check this over and let me know exact numbers of cars unloaded for that work.

DeForce to M.A. Carter, Toppenish, October 23, 1911
For team labor performed during the month of October in hauling cinders to be used as filling around new passenger depot at Toppenish, as per bill certified by Roadmaster Browne, October 10, 11, 13, three days at $5 per day, $15.

August, 1912
Detail of charges to AFEs, Improvement No. 34-1911, Toppenish Depot
Engine Service Bill
Engine No. 1353
August 29 1.3
August 30 1.3.20
August 31 1.3.10
Total 3.9.30
...
Engine No. 1533
August 22 1.1.50
August 23 1.6.10
August 24 1.6.10
August 25 1.5.40
August 26 1.5.30
August 27 1.6.10
August 28 1.4.30
Total 10.6.00
...
Engine No. 1588
August 25 1.1.45
August 26 1.6
August 27 1.7
August 28 1.7
August 29 1.6
August 30 1.5.50
August 31 1.5.50
Total 10.9925
...
Charge 81.8 percent.

September, 1912
Detail of charges to AFEs, Improvement No. 34-1911, Toppenish Depot, Engine Service Rental
Weight on Drivers - Engine Number - Time - Rate Day - Amount
143,800 - 1353 - 150 Hours 30 minutes - 12 - 80.60
201,500 - 1588 - 157 Hours 30 minutes - 14 - 219.80

September, 1912
Detail of charges to AFEs, Improvement No. 34-1911, Toppenish Depot
Freight on coal for engine service bills - Roslyn Coal
Engine 1353 - 15.0.30 at 14.408 - 287.72 - 27.69
Engine 1588 - 15.7 at 31.266 - 564.78 - 110.46

J.E. Coyle, Superintendent, Pasco, to H.A. Gray, Comptroller, St. Paul, May 13, 1914
Toppenish depot completed October, 1911. Material - 154.84; Labor - 84.09; Engineering - 759.05; Contract Work - 27,636.07; Freight and Passes - 8,043.14; Insurance - 6.91; Total - 36,684.10. Estimate $28,692. Excess due to transportation charges which were not included in estimate.

Koren, ca. May, 1914
Report of Excess Expenditure on Comptroller's Improvement No. 34 of 1911.
Excavation, dry - 492 CY - 246
Excavation, wet - 326 CY - 984
Concrete - 214 CY - 1,926
Backfilling/Tamping - 200 CY - 30
Forms - 1,500 FBM - 330
Concrete floor, 4 in. - 182 Sq Y - 182
Reinforced concrete floor, 4 in. - 153 Sq Y - 183.60
Expanded metal No. 10 - 1,400 Sq Ft - 45
Steel - 8,500 Lbs - 295
Cast iron columns - 2,000 Lbs - 54
Common brick - 110 M - 990
Labor laying - 110 M bricks - 935
Mortar for - 110 M bricks - 192.50
Pressed brick - 35 M - 805
Mortar for pressed brick - 35 M - 87.50
Labor laying - 35 M pressed brick - 875
Tile flue lining 12x12 in. - 42 Lin Ft - 16.80
Cut stone - NA - 1050
Water proofing - 270 Sq Yds - 270
Terazzo floor - 2,270 Sq Ft - 1,021.50
Enameled brick wainscoting - 2,250 Sq Ft - 1,125
Plastering - 800 Sq Yds - 280
Lumber - 65,000 FBM - 1,690
Millwork - NA - 1,880
Hardware and iron - NA - 290
Slate roofing - 98 squares - 1,470
Ridge tile - 360 Ft - 144
Copper flashing - 350 Lbs - 168
Cornice and cutter - 480 Lin Ft - 288
Down pipe - 90 Lin Ft - 27
Floor lights for areas - NA - 30
Exterior painting - 700 Sq Yds - 175
Interior painting - 1,200 Sq Yds - 325
Interior oak painting - 230 Sq Yds - 92
White washing - 92 Sq Yds - 22.40
Scales - 2 - 340
Septic tank, cess pool and drainage - NA - 550
Steam heating - NA - 1,200
Plumbing - NA - 1,450
Water piping and hydrant - NA - 450
Electric light - NA - 580
Contractors profit on material, 10 percent - 1,442.78
Brick platform - 1,770 Sq Yds at 1.15 - 2,035.50
Concrete curb - 1,630 Lin Ft at .45 - 773.50
Engineering - 985
...
Actual
Brick platform - 2,182 Sq Yds at 1.30 - 2,836.60
Concrete curb - 1,368 Lin Ft at .55 - 752.40
Transportation - NA - 8,043.14

Koren, Requisition for Authority for Expenditure 80, May 19, 1914
Authority is requested for an expenditure of 7,992.02, to additions and betterments for new work at Toppenish, Washington, not in budget, consisting of passenger depot, excess expenditure of [] 1911. The expenditure is recommended for the following reasons:
Excess cost of platform was due to increase of price and quantities of actual work over estimate, 1,770 square yards being estimated at 1.13 and 2,182 square yards being constructed at 1.30 per yard. Excess in cost of curbing was due to 1,630 lineal feet having been estimated at .45 cents per foot and 1,699 lineal feet being constructed. Of this amount, 1,368 feet cost .55 cents per foot and the balance, 331 feet, cost a total of 422.30, on account of being higher than specified, owing to the natural surface of the ground being low. The increase in quantities of platform and curbing was due to the building being moved back further from the track, in accordance with instructions from the general manager.
No transportation charges were provided for in the estimate, but freight and passenger transportation was charged to the work at tariff rates.

Updated March 5, 2006.
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