Program

Historic Transportation

Subject

Site, Transportation

Location

210 E St, Independence, OR 97351, USA

Lat/Long

44.849404, -123.186227

Grant Recipient

City of Independence, OR

In 1889, the Independence & Monmouth Railway was established in Polk County, Oregon. The railway ran along E Street in the city of Independence, connecting the community to its westerly neighbor, Monmouth. Measuring 2.5 miles in length, the street railway provided freight and passenger services between the two cities.

According to early annual reports made to the State of Oregon’s Board of Railroad Commissioners, the railway used steam locomotives that burned wood as fuel. However, in 1909, the railway added a small, gas-powered vehicle nicknamed the Peanut Roaster, which was used to transport passengers, milk, and freight along the line.

In 1918, the I&M Railway ceased operations, and the rails were torn up and sold along with the company’s equipment. The recent “construction of competing lines and rerouting of freight” were cited as the main factors in the demise of the railway which was reportedly operating at a loss for the two years prior (Oregon Daily Journal, September 4, 1918, 16).

As of 2025, the cities of Independence and Monmouth have a partnership along with Western Oregon University to operate a free rural public transit system with reproduction trolleys that are gas-electric hybrids. Speaking to the early history of these two cities, the trolleys are a popular mode of transport for the surrounding community, with over 300 riders per day.