www.txrrhistory.com Interlocking Tower 37 - Vernon, Texas

Tower 37 was established in 1904 as a manual interlocking tower on the northeast side of Vernon. The tower controlled a crossing of the Ft. Worth and Denver City Railroad and the St. Louis San Francisco ("Frisco") Railway. Unlike many cities in this part of the state, Vernon actually existed prior to the arrival of the FW&DC railroad in 1885.

The railroad set off a growth boom in Vernon which reached 3,500 residents in 1892 and had a street railway, electric lighting and two ice factories. In 1901, the Blackwell, Enid and Texas Railway was chartered and began building northeasterly from Vernon to connect with the Blackwell, Enid and Southwestern Railway across the Red River, twelve miles from Vernon. A rail yard was built in west Vernon and in 1904, this became a Frisco line, remaining in service until 1957. The FW&D became part of the Burlington System and is today a main line for BNSF.

The fate of Tower 37 has not been determined and a photo of it has yet to be located. However, the same two railroads crossed in Quanah, not far from Vernon, and Tower 27 located in Quanah opened just seven months prior to Tower 37. Thus, it is perhaps likely that Tower 37 resembled Tower 27.

Historic Photo of Interlocker 37 We would like to have a historic photo showing the tower at this location. If you have any information regarding a source for a photo, please contact us.

Modern Photo of Interlocker 37

Photo by Jim King
The cars at far right sit on an angled spur that was formerly the Frisco right-of-way coming into Vernon from the east. The Frisco crossed the FW&D (left) at Tower 37, which would likely have been visible in this view.

Tower 37 Location Map

Map by Jim King

Last Revised: 08/01/2005 - Contact the Texas Interlocking Towers Page.