Gilbert, Arizona

The almost straight-line portion of the Phoenix and Eastern was a blessing for Murphy and his railroad, as the land was almost level all the way to the Gila River. The base work from Mesa to Florence was not too difficult for the workers, but they still had to clear, grub, and grade a roadbed with only men and mules. Using scrapers, pick, and shovel, the men moved quickly across the desert. The work went well until they reached the mountains, where they had to tunnel and bridge the Gila River on their way to Kelvin and their mining interests. After incorporation in 1901, Murphy began to acquire rights-of-way to Kelvin and Winkleman. Murphy dealt with James Pine for a right-of-way, to which Pine agreed. Pine asked that a spur be placed along the track at the next roadway. That road is now called Gilbert Road. The first right-of-way purchased from Bobby Gilbert was only the usual width of sixty-six feet. Murphy later acquired an additional parcel sixty-seven feet in width to allow for a future sidetrack or spur, and a depot was built in 1905.

k Hay baling. The farmers’ success was greatly increased by railroad transportation.

k Heavy shipment

20