The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company was one of the last of the railroads to make connection with Atchison. This line was originally projected to Leavenworth, but reached Atchison shortly after. The construction of the Atchison branch was begun in 1872, and in July of that year the first train was run into the city. All of these roads having been organized and constructed and in operation, the next movement that took place in transportation circles was the erection of the bridge across the Missouri river, work upon which was commenced in August, 1874, and completed in July, 1875. This bridge is 1,182 feet long and the stone for the piers and abutments upon which it rests was taken from the quarries at Cottonwood Falls, Chase county. It was originally built by the American Bridge Company of Chicago, and was rebuilt entirely new, except for the piers, in 1898. Shortly after the erection of the bridge, connecting Missouri with Kansas at Atchison, the first railroad depot was built upon the site of the present union station, which was completed and dedicated September 7, 1880. There was a great deal of discussion as to the proper location of a depot before the building was finally erected, and it was through the efforts of the Burneses that its location on Main street, between Second and Fourth street, was selected. The capital stock of the original Depot Company was $100,000,000, of which the railroad companies then entering the city subscribed for $70,000. The balance of the stock was taken by individuals. The cost of the original depot was $120,000, and the architect was William E. Taylor, who planned the old union station in Kansas City. James A. McGonigle, who was the contractor for the old Kansas City station, also built the Atchison union depot. It was built of the finest pressed brick from St. Louis, and trimmed with cut stone from the Cottonwood Falls quarries. Its length was 235 feet, with an “L” ninety-six feet long. It was two stories high with a mansard roof. It was an ornamental, and, in those days, an imposing structure. The ceremonies accompanying its dedication were witnessed by a great crowd, and many great men in the railroad and political life of Kansas participated in them. Gen. Benjamin F. Stringfellow delivered the address, and a banquet was served in the evening, followed by a procession and fire-works. Two years later, in June, 1882, this depot was partially destroyed by fire, suffering a loss of $10,000, but it was immediately rebuilt. On January 6, 1888, another fire completely destroyed the building, and the present union station was erected a short time later. HANNIBAL & ST. JOSEPH RAILROAD.