THE CHICAGO, BOCK ISLAND & PACIFIC RAILROAD
In 1851 the legislature of Illinois incorporated what is now one of the most important railway systems in the country, the Chicago, Eock Island & Pacific, then called the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad. In the beginning it was the aim of its projectors to connect the Great Lakes with the Mississippi river via Chicago and Eock Island, covering a distance of 181 1/2 miles. When the road was completed in 1854, it was considered one of the great lines of the country, not on account of its length, but because of the importance of the connections it made.
As was but natural, realty rose in consequence of the building of this road from 25 to 100 per cent. Perhaps nothing else gave such an impetus to Rock Island county as the completion of this link which connected it with the East, and which, with the Mississippi, brought New York City and New Orleans commerce through the county. The road paid heavily for its right of way through Rock Island, for the people were still smarting from the effect of their failure in securing the first road for which they had bargained, but since then they have shown appreciation of the growth and development which have followed this system.
The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific road opened for business at Rock Island February 22, 1854, and on June 6, 1854, there was a grand excursion of two trains and five steamers coming to celebrate the event This road passes through some of the best agricultural regions of the state, and with its present ramifications extends from ocean to ocean. The first station at Rock Island stood on the northeast corner of Twentieth street and Second avenue and was a small frame structure accommodating both the freight and passenger business. It was erected in 1854. The second station, which was in use in 1875, was located at the foot of Twenty- eighth street, north of the property now owned by Hon. Ben T. Cable, and near the house built by Colonel Davenport and Mr. Farnham, which was the first to be erected at Eock Island, then called Farnhamsburg. About 189O a new station was built at Thirty-first street and Fifth avenue, which, about 1900, was remodeled into the present handsome one occupying the same site, and devoted especially to passenger service.
Agents of the line at Rock Island have been: W. B. Grinnel, H. P. Tucker, George L. Carman, J. A. Hanley, S. B. Stoddard, J. H. Pugh, R. J. McKenlen, C. W. Thatcher, S. J. Russell, John Cook, A. Lyford, F. H. Plummer and J. S. Steeper. T. J. Murray is now in general charge of the company's freight business at Rock Island, Moline, East Moline and Silvis.
The present brick depot at Moline was erected twenty-five years ago at the corner of Thirteenth street and Fourth avenue. The first depot at this point was one for freight and passenger service at the corner of Tenth street and Third avenue. The company is now clear ing a site for a magnificent new passenger depot which will cost approximately $200,000, including the ground. It will be located in a park extending from Seventeenth to Nineteenth streets, at Fourth avenue, will be one-half block in depth, with sixty feet of street entrance on the rear. This will be, when completed, the finest depot of its kind in this section. The local passenger agent of this road at Moline is William E. Chalfant, who has been in charge about seven years. The local freight agent at this point is F. C. Hall.
Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock Island
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Illinois Ancestors
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