[GH85Carrera]

The MKT (Katy) railroad connected early Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to the rest of the world. On July 4, 1904 the citizens all turned out to welcome the first passenger train at the brand new depot. Prior to the arrival of that first train, the only way to anywhere was by horse, and roads did not exist. The laying of track was a slow process. Mules were used to grade the ground. Part of a spur line that extended from Wybark to Osage Junction, Broken Arrow was a necessary stop. Steam engines needed water and fuel (wood or coal) about every 15 miles. Railroads also needed towns/stops to provide consumers for their services. The depot originally sat in the middle of Main Street and was not moved until Main Street was extended south. The street was 100 feet wide to accommodate the turning of wagons...going forward...because backing up was difficult. You can imagine the lifestyle differences then to now.