Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Business Car No. 101
a.k.a. The Abraham Lincoln
Bruce and Lee Rds., Othello, WAPullman, the world's leading manufacturer of railroad cars, underwent significant technological changes in 1910, the year the nominated car was built. Almost overnight, the company switched from production of 60 foot, varnished wood cars to production of 80 foot cars built of riveted steel. Electricity replaced gas lighting and fabricated wood and steel trucks were replaced by massive structural steel units. On the interior, heavy, dark Victorian appointments (complete with wood carvings and tapestry fabrics) were replaced by designs of simpler elegance with clear woods, straight moldings, and light accents of polished bronze hardware (except in bathrooms and kitchens, where the firm introduced nickel-plated brass fixtures).
In the spring of that year, anticipating the opening of its new Western Pacific Railway (the latest transcontinental route to the Pacific), the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad ordered 51 of Pullman's new steel passenger cars. Car No. 845 (which was renumbered by the railroad as Car No. 926) was completed in the fall of 1910 at a cost of over $13,000. The car reflected many of the changes at Pullman. The coach was nearly 80 feet long, with room for 84 passengers, and was both luxurious and conservative with Mission Style paneled walls and beamed ceilings.
Car No. 926 was part of a fleet that remained the premiere passenger equipment on the Denver and Rio Grande line through the boom period of the late 1920s. In 1929, No. 926 was one of two coaches (then 19 years old) selected for conversion into railroad office cars at the railroad shops near Denver. Car No. 926 emerged that year as Business Car No. 101, a rebuilt luxurious executive suite for the president of the company. The car was given a streamlined appearance, placed on modern six-wheel trucks, and equipped with two staterooms, an office, bathrooms, a dining room, servants' quarters, a kitchen, and an observation parlor and deck. The interior was finished with walnut paneling and ceiling beams as well as walnut furniture including the stateroom beds, dining room china cabinet, and dining room table and chairs (all of which remain). The car represented the ultimate status symbol of the age. In 1937, in a continuing attempt to modernize the car, No. 101 was given a vaguely Moderne appearance by rounding out the clerestory profile and covering the windows.
Business Car No. 101 is the only Denver and Rio Grande business car from the period to survive intact. Companion Business Car No. 100 was destroyed by fire; the other business car, No. 102, was completely rebuilt after World War II. Most business cars from the early 20th century met similar fates. In fact, of the few thousand private or business cars ever built in America, about half of those that survived underwent major rebuilding and modernization after World War II; about a quarter of the extant cars caught fire when coal cinders ignited the horsehair insulation; and many remaining retired cars have been sold for scrap. Today, only about five fully operational, mostly original pre-World War II private cars are known to exist in the United States. Of these, Business Car No. 101, now renamed the Abraham Lincoln," is the oldest approved for operation on Amtrak rails.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The Hanford Site, located in southeastern Washington, was a major production facility for nuclear weapons during World War II and the Cold War. Today, it is the most contaminated nuclear site in the United States and is undergoing a massive cleanup effort.
European settlers arrived in the 1800s, attracted by the fertile soil and the potential for farming. The area became a destination for homesteaders, who quickly established towns and communities. Adams County was officially established in 1883 and named after the second President of the United States, John Adams.
A significant event in the county's history was the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway in the late 19th century. The railway brought increased connectivity and transportation opportunities, allowing for the growth of commerce and trade. This led to the development of new industries such as wheat farming and flour milling, which became major economic contributors to the county.
Over the years, Adams County has faced challenges such as droughts, economic downturns, and the Great Depression. However, the resilient community persevered, adapting to changing times and embracing new opportunities. Today, the county continues to be an important agricultural hub, with crops such as wheat, potatoes, and sugar beets being major contributors to its economy. The county also boasts stunning landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities, making it an attractive destination for nature enthusiasts and travelers.
Adams County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Adams County, Washington.
- 1879 - Adams County is organized by a legislative act on November 28th.
- 1883 - The county seat is established in Ritzville.
- 1889 - Adams County becomes a part of the newly admitted state of Washington.
- 1905 - The Othello Irrigation District is formed, leading to agricultural development in the region.
- 1945 - The Hanford Site, a nuclear production complex, is established in southwestern Adams County.
- 1989 - The Adams County Historical Society is founded to preserve and share the history of the region.