For a future (2026) presentation to the Polk County Historical Society, I am currently researching the original Independence & Monmouth Railway that connected these two towns from about 1890 to 1920. Are you aware of any maps, reports, photos or reminiscences of this railway in your archives? For example, the Independence banker/businessman Herman "Joe" Hirschberg was associated with it, and I have heard that some of his papers may be in your archives. Also, I wonder if any students or faculty over the years wrote reports that may be in your files. I live in West Salem and so can easily visit WOU. Many thanks for any assistance you can provide.
Richard Francaviglia, (contact info: francaviglia2002@yahoo.com or phone 503-990-6554 )

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