In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a railroad north-south from Herington to Caldwell. This branch line connected Herington, Lost Springs, Lincolnville, Antelope, Marion, Aulne, Peabody, Elbing, Whitewater, Furley, Kechi, Wichita, Peck, Corbin, Wellington, Caldwell. This branch line was made longer to reach Pond Creek, Oklahoma in 1888, and connected Caldwell, Renfrow, Medford, Jefferson (the original Pond Creek). By 1893, it was incrementally built to Fort Worth, Texas. This railroad closed in 1891. It was taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway. That closed in 1980. It reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad. Then it merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad. It merged again in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still call this railroad the "Rock Island.