The rails brought progress.

The coming of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad to this area in 1870 meant not only a new means of travel and communication for the individual, but also new ways of shipping and receiving for business and industry. Later, the route became the St. Louis-San Francisco . . . better known as the Frisco . . . and spurs opened up rail traffic to many other communities in Southwest Missouri. In 1881, the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Memphis Railroad came to the city and was later consolidated with Frisco. The Missouri Pacific started service here in 1907. The Frisco brought with it the largest maintenance shop west of the Mississippi River and other offices which, at one time, employed some 2000 people. It still maintains the shops and a large office facility here. The railroad has been an important part of the community from its arrival here. As other means of transportation became more available, the railroad phased out passenger service. The last passenger train arrived in Springfield from St. Louis in May of 1967.