The Sad Monkey Railroad
Canyon, Randall County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Located in Palo Duro Canyon State Park, the Sad Monkey Railroad served as a tourist attraction for the many travelers to the park for more than 40 years. In 1953, J.H. Buchanan, owner of the Ford dealership in Canyon, purchased a narrow-gauge passenger train from a drive-in theater in Illinois. Harold E. Grear and James M. Bailey installed the railroad on the floor of the canyon, operated under a contract with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Named for a rock formation on a cliff in the canyon, which is said to resemble a sad monkey, the railroad began operation in June 1953. Earl Burtz of Canyon purchased the railroad in 1964 and operated the attraction for more than 12 years until his son took over. Traveling along a two-mile route, the train took park guests on a 20-minute ride through the canyon. Conductors recited a narrative that educated and entertained, including history, geology, ecology and folklore. Although visitors and residents regarded the railroad as a local and state treasure, insurance costs and requirements ultimately resulted in the closure of the railroad in 1996. After its removal, the train and several passenger cars sat on the highway leading into the park, welcoming travelers. Community efforts to restore the railroad began and the engine, tender and one seven-row passenger car were installed at Neblett Park for display in 2017. For decades, the Sad Monkey Railroad served as one of the memorable and significant attractions for residents and travelers, contributing to the visitor experience at Palo Duro State Park.(2019)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1953 a Canyon Ford dealer bought a narrow-gauge passenger train from an Illinois drive-in theater, and it was installed on the floor of Palo Duro Canyon State Park as the Sad Monkey Railroad—named for a cliff formation said to resemble a mournful monkey. For more than forty years, conductors led visitors on a two-mile, twenty-minute ride laced with history, geology, and folklore. Rising insurance costs closed the line in 1996, but community efforts later put the engine and a passenger car on display at a Canyon park.
Why it matters
The little canyon railroad is a slice of mid-century American roadside tourism, when quirky attractions turned a natural wonder into a beloved family destination.
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Related people
- · J.H. Buchanan
- · Harold E. Grear
- · James M. Bailey
- · Earl Burtz
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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