Riga, Kansas
Riga is an unincorporated community in Trego County, Kansas, United States.[1]
Riga, Kansas | |
|---|---|
 KDOT map of Trego County (legend) | |
  Riga  Riga | |
| Coordinates: 38°57′2″N 99°39′1″W[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Trego |
| Township | Glencoe |
| Elevation | 2,221 ft (677 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 67656[2] |
| Area code | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-59850 [1] |
| GNIS ID | 484721 [1] |
Geography
Riga is located at 39°06′12″N 99°14′44″W at an elevation of 2,221 feet (677 m).[1] It is in far east-central Trego County roughly 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Ellis in neighboring Ellis County[3] It lies to the north of Big Creek in the western extent of the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains.[3]
Transportation
Rail
- The Kansas Pacific (KP)[4][5] line of the Union Pacific Railroad runs southeast–northwest through Riga, with a siding for the grain elevator.
- Until 1946, Riga received scheduled local passenger service, at least twice daily; e.g., morning westbound train 69-369 and evening eastbound train 370-70.[6][7]
- However, there is recollection that, in the 1950's, the eastbound and westbound Portland Rose trains would meet at Riga.[8]
- In the 50s and 60s, the eastbound and westbound Portland Rose trains were scheduled to leave Oakley and Ellis, respectively, at about the same time in the early afternoon; and, would have to meet each other at a passing siding on the single track in between.[9][10]
- If the westbound was delayed in leaving Ellis, Riga was the last siding outside of Ellis where the eastbound could wait for the westbound to clear the station.
- When the Union Pacific rebuilt the Kansas Pacific line in the late 1990s, a new 9300 ft. siding was built just west of Riga.[8]
- Until 1946, Riga received scheduled local passenger service, at least twice daily; e.g., morning westbound train 69-369 and evening eastbound train 370-70.[6][7]
Highways
- Riga Road (FAS 1854)[4] runs north–south through the location, connecting to Exit 140 of Interstate 70 a mile to the north.[3]
- The first section of Interstate 70 to be built in western Kansas was completed by 1961 from Riga to Collyer.[11]
- 40 Hwy (FAS 1977),[4] parallel to and south of the railroad tracks, an old alignment of U.S. Route 40,[11] runs southeast–northwest through Riga and is a direct connection between the downtowns of WaKeeney (county seat) and Ellis.[12]
References
- "Riga, Kansas", Geographic Names Information System, United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior
- "Trego County Profile". zipdatamaps. Retrieved 2020-12-30.
- "Riga, Glencoe, Kansas". Google Maps. Retrieved 2020-12-30.
- "General Highway Map - Trego County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. 1978. Retrieved 2020-12-30.
- "UPRR Common Line Names" (PDF). Union Pacific Railroad. Retrieved 2020-12-30.
- Time Tables (PDF). Union Pacific Railroad. June 2, 1946. Retrieved 2021-01-09.
- Condensed Time Tables (PDF). Union Pacific Railroad. September 1, 1947. Retrieved 2021-01-09.
Riga is not listed on any table
- "Historic Venues on the Prairies of Kansas". Trainorders.com Nostalgia & History. 2020-12-30.
- Time Tables (PDF). Union Pacific Railroad. September 26, 1954. Retrieved 2021-01-09.
- Time Tables (PDF). Union Pacific Railroad. Summer 1958. Retrieved 2021-01-09.
- "Official 1960–61 Kansas Highway Map" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
- Kansas 2005–2006 Official Transportation Map
Further reading
External links
Municipalities and communities of Trego County, Kansas, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  Map of Kansas highlighting Trego County | |
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Townships |
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| Footnotes | †This community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau. | |
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