The Kansas City, Kaw Valley & Western Railway was an interurban rail line with electric car service between downtown Kansas City, Missouri and Lawrence. Under the direction of J.J. Heim and W.R. Taylor, superintendent, the line was opened in 1914 between Kansas City and Bonner Springs, and in 1916 the line extended to Lawrence. The line had 75 passenger station stops, and trains left Kansas City hourly between 5:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Passengers included Kansas City and Kaw Valley commuters, KU students, occasional shoppers, and the like. Passenger service gradually declined during the 1920's, and by August 1935 the line was a year behind in paying employees. 1935 was the last year for interurban runs between Kansas City and City Park, and in the summer buses replaced the electric motorcars. Freight runs kept the line alive from the 1930's to 1961 (chiefly loads for Portland Cement Company)..
From the guide to the Records, 1906-1958, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kansas Collection)
