Washington Central Railway Co. - 1898-1928 dated Washington State Railroad Stock Certificate

Stock printed by Henry K. Brewer & Co., NY. Also available unissued at a lesser price. Please inquire if interested.

This company, established in 1898, was formed to acquire the assets of the bankrupt Central Washington Railroad. The railroad operated between Cheney and Coulee City, Washington, and was under the control of the Northern Pacific Railway Company.

The Washington Central Railway Company, also known as the Central Washington Railroad, was a subsidiary established by the Northern Pacific Railway to operate and expand a crucial branch line through the fertile agricultural regions of eastern Washington. By 1898, the line had become a vital artery for transporting wheat and other agricultural products from the “Big Bend” country to major markets. It connected towns like Davenport and Almira to the broader transcontinental network. This year marked a significant milestone for the company as the Northern Pacific formally integrated its branch line operations following its own corporate reorganization out of receivership in the mid-1890s.

During this period, the Washington Central played a pivotal role in the intense competition between the Northern Pacific and James J. Hill’s Great Northern Railway for dominance in the Pacific Northwest. The railway’s infrastructure facilitated rapid settlement and economic growth in Spokane and Lincoln counties, providing the first direct rail communication for many isolated communities. While the Washington Central Railway Company eventually merged its operations into the Northern Pacific system in the early 20th century, its 1898 status represented the peak of regional branch-line expansion that shaped the development of the Washington state interior.