Railroads have played significant and dynamic roles in Illinois’s history. Railroad fever struck the state in the 1830s and by the mid-1800s they had established themselves as a fixture in people’s lives.
Railroads were well-suited to Illinois’s flat grassy terrain, and they facilitated the development of commerce and industry, large-scale farming, and increasingly efficient travel across the state and the nation.
The second half of the 1800s marked the Golden Age of railroads in Illinois, and Chicago grew in significance as rail lines through the city linked the eastern U.S. to the west and the north to the south. The rail network continues to traverse the state today with a total of 41 railroads operating in Illinois.
This exhibit offers a glimpse into the roles railroads have played in Illinois, starting with early freight carriers and continuing with a variety of passenger trains, ranging from ordinary commuter lines to luxury travel. The letters, photographs, books, tickets, souvenirs, and artifacts in this exhibit span over one hundred years and depict the evolution of the railroad throughout the state’s history.
The first state-operated railroad in Illinois was the Northern Cross Railroad, which was funded with hopes of growing the state’s agricultural economy. It operated from 1838 until 1847, when it was sold to pay off state debts. After renewed interest in railroad construction, the Illinois Central Railroad was chartered in 1851 to build 705 miles of track.
Piece of rail and spike used on the first railroad in Illinois, circa 1830s-1847. Northern Cross Railroad, F.625.15 P594.
Photograph taken by the Illinois Central Railroad’s Office of Photographer, October 6, 1915. Illinois Central Railroad Photograph Album (MS 862).
Bloomington and Ohio River Railroad Company Announcement, June 27, 1870. Jacob H. Barnes Correspondence, Bills, Receipts, and Legal Documents (MS 451), Box 1, Folder 7.
Letter from Henry Brown to Jacob Barnes describing rail travel, page 1, May 30, 1871. Jacob H. Barnes Correspondence, Bills, Receipts, and Legal Documents (MS 451), Box 1, Folder 1.
Letter from Henry Brown to Jacob Barnes describing rail travel, page 2, May 30, 1871. Jacob H. Barnes Correspondence, Bills, Receipts, and Legal Documents (MS 451), Box 1, Folder 1.
Letter from Henry Brown to Jacob Barnes describing rail travel, page 3, May 30, 1871. Jacob H. Barnes Correspondence, Bills, Receipts, and Legal Documents (MS 451), Box 1, Folder 1.
Letter from Henry Brown to Jacob Barnes describing rail travel, page 4, May 30, 1871. Jacob H. Barnes Correspondence, Bills, Receipts, and Legal Documents (MS 451), Box 1, Folder 1.
By 1872 there was more rail mileage constructed in Illinois than in any other state. Dozens of new towns cropped up along railroads as construction expanded, and these rail depots became important economic hubs for small businesses and farmers.
Stead, William T. If Christ Came To Chicago! A Plea for the Union of All Who Love In the Service of All Who Suffer, 1894. 977.311 ST31I.
Stead, William T. If Christ Came To Chicago! A Plea for the Union of All Who Love In the Service of All Who Suffer, 1894. 977.311 ST31I.
Railroads created jobs and allowed for easy transportation of goods across the state, further bolstering the economy as lines developed.
Letter from Mary Jane Foster to her father describing transportation between Evanston and Chicago, page 1,1869. Mary Jane Foster Letter (MS 1047).
Letter from Mary Jane Foster to her father describing transportation between Evanston and Chicago, page 2, 1869. Mary Jane Foster Letter (MS 1047).
Letter from Mary Jane Foster to her father describing transportation between Evanston and Chicago, page 3, 1869. Mary Jane Foster Letter (MS 1047).
Schedule of wages and rules governing Yardmen and Switchtenders, 1920. 385.4 Il623sc.
Photograph of the Lincoln funeral train, 1865; reprinted in Newman, Ralph Geoffrey, “In This Sad World of Ours, Sorrow Comes to All”: A Timetable for the Lincoln Funeral Train, 1965. 973.7L63 D2N467i.
The Lonesome Train (A Musical Legend): A Cantata, text by Millard Lampell, music by Earl Robinson, circa 1945. 973.7 L63H5R561L.
Case 2:
Plan for the West Elevation of Oakland Passenger House for the Illinois Central Railroad, May 1893. Adler and Sullivan Oakland Passenger Station Drawings (MS 001).
With the turn of the century, railroads continued to bolster their markets by advertising special excursion trains for vacationers seeking long-distance holiday services and interurbans for speedy trips between towns. These popular offerings fostered a desire for convenient and comfortable services – the type of flexibility that automobiles would soon offer.
Illinois Central Suburban Trains time table, 1883. George H. Douglas Photograph Collection (MS 908), Box 2, Folder 8.
Advertisement for the Gates South Shore Sleeping Car Line, circa 1869. Reproduced from unknown publication for the George H. Douglas Photograph Collection (MS 908), Box 2, Folder 8.
Peoria, Decatur, and Evansville ticket, 1899. George H. Douglas Photograph Collection (MS 908), Box 2, Folder 8.
This Is Our Railroad: The Illinois Central Family Book, circa 1948. 385.0683 Il6t.
This Is Our Railroad: The Illinois Central Family Book, circa 1948. 385.0683 Il6t.
Manual for Enginemen, circa 1950-1960. Richard Skagenberg Railroad Ephemera Collection (MS 909), Box 1, Folder 16.
Chicago and North Western Railway trade card, circa 1876-early 1880s. Reproduced from unknown publication for the George H. Douglas Photograph Collection (MS 908), Box 2, Folder 8.
Chicago Rapid Transit token, circa 1924-1947. Roger C. Clark Railroad Ephemera Collection (MS 905), Box 3.
Pullman bar of soap. Roger C. Clark Railroad Ephemera Collection (MS 905), Box 3.
With the popularity of automobiles and airplanes as convenient modes of transportation, the era of the private railroad passenger train finally came to an end. Amtrak emerged as a federal program to continue the use of American passenger trains, and Illinois politicians offered subsidies to Amtrak to operate trains in regions with limited alternatives for accessible travel. Today Illinois is still at the center of the nation’s rail network with about 9,982 miles of tracks and with 11 of the nation’s 38 Amtrak train routes traversing Illinois.
Amtrak paper conductor hat, circa 1985. Richard Skagenberg Railroad Ephemera Collection (MS 909), Box 1, Folder 10.
Amtrak’s Nationwide Rail Passenger System map, 1980. Richard Skagenberg Railroad Ephemera Collection (MS 909), Box 1, Folder 10.
