According to the Congressional Documents, the amount of capital employed by bankers, banking without charters, and by money and exchange brokers, was, in RAILROADS. THE present position of Illinois as regards the natural and artificial elements that make a great and prosperous State, is mainly attributable to the construction of her railroads, by which the State, in all its length and breadth, is traversed, and every possible facility afforded for an unlimited domestic and foreign trade and intercourse; and this, considering her immense territory and the enterprising character of her population, must, for all future time, necessarily secure to her an equal position with the highest in this great confederation of sister States. Up to the year 1850, Illinois had only one railroad, running a distance of fifty-five miles. At the beginning of the year 1855, there were already 1892 miles; at the beginning of 1856, 2215 miles, and at its close, there were over 2600 miles, nearly all completed, while several new roads were either being projected, or even already in progress of construction. Among the States of the Union, New York and Ohio have the greatest share of railroads: the former having 2795, and the latter 2725 miles. Illinois, indeed, is now but little behind them, and no doubt in a very brief time will surpass both, and possess more miles of railroad than any other State. By means of the railroads, Illinois is in immediate communication with the East and the West, with the South and the North. The State itself is traversed by railroads in all directions - within one year's time, there will hardly be a single spot in it, from which one of the railroads cannot be reached within one day's travel. The number of railroads that either pass entirely through the State, or, coming from adjacent States, merely traverse it in some parts, is no less than forty-eight, which are nearly all completed and in successful operation. They are all enumerated in the subjoined alphabetical list, in which are also stated, the points of commencement and termination of each road, the points at which it is crossed or intersected by other roads, together with the number of miles, &c., as far as we were able to ascertain. The Alton and Illinoistown Railroad Connects Alton and Illinoistown, and is 25 miles long. The Atlantic and Mississippi Railroad – Will run from Illinoistown, northeasterly, to Terre Haute, Indiana, and cross the main line of the Illinois Central Railroad at Vandalia, the Chicago branch of the same at Effingham, and the Wabash Valley Railroad about ten miles from the frontier of Indiana. The Belleville and Illinoistown Railroad Connects Belleville and Illinoistown, and is 15 miles long. The Belleville and Mount Vernon Railroad. Will, in coming from Belleville, cross the main line of the Illinois Central Railroad south of Richview, and terminate at Mount Vernon, Jefferson county, by an intersection with the Massac and Sangamon Railroad. The Belleville and Murphysboro Railroad Will run southeast of Belleville, cross the Kaskaskia river near Athens, then cross the main line of the Illinois Central Railroad at Carbondale, and touch the Ohio river at Brooklyn, Massac county. The Beloit Branch of the Galena Railroad— Runs, in a northwestern direction, from Belvidere, Boone county, to Beloit, Wisconsin. Length, 20 miles. The Bureau Valley Railroad Joins the Rock Island Railroad at Bureau Junction, Bureau county, and The Cairo and Vincennes Railroad Is intended to run south, from Vincennes, and, crossing the Massac and Sangamon and the Belleville and Murphysboro railroads, to have its terminus at Cairo. The Central Military Tract Railroad Forms a portion of the Burlington and Quincy Railroad, from Mendota, The Chicago, Alton, and St. Louis Railroad Connects Chicago and Alton, in a distance of 260 miles. It runs from Chicago, in a southwestern direction, via Joliet, at which latter place several railroads cross each other. Between Dwight and Odell, it crosses the Fort Wayne, Lacon, and Platte Valley Railroad; at Peoria Junction, the Logansport and Pacific Railroad; at Bloomington, the Illinois Central Railroad, and at Springfield, the Great Western Railroad. On the last of November, 1856, the privilege was granted to this company to extend the road through Alton, so that there is now an uninterrupted railway communication between Chicago and Illinoistown. The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Connects Chicago and Burlington, in a distance of 210 miles. It runs, westerly, to the Junction, where the Fox Valley, the Chicago, St. Charles, and Mississippi, and the Chicago, Fulton, and Iowa Central railroads terminate; and, proceeding thence in a southwestern direction, via Mendota and Galesburg, it reaches its terminus at Burlington. (See Central Military Tract Railroad.) The Chicago and Cincinnati Railroad — Will use the track of the Chicago and Alton Railroad from Chicago to Junction; thence run towards the southeast, and, north of Calumet, cross the Chicago branch of the Illinois Central Railroad; and, passing Roselle and Logansport, finally reach the Indiana line. The Chicago and Fort Wayne Railroad Uses the track of the Chicago branch of the Illinois Central Railroad as far as Calumet, and from thence, as far as Lake, the Michigan Central Railroad; from the latter point, it will be continued, via Roselle, to Fort Wayne. The Chicago, Fulton, and Iowa Central Railroad Also called the Dixon Air Line, or the Galena Air Line, forms the shortest Along the shore of Lake Michigan, forms a connection between Chicago and Milwaukie. Its whole length is 85 miles, of which 40 miles are within the State. The Chicago and Oswego Railroad Will run from Chicago, in a southwestern direction, to Athens, and from thence, after crossing the Lockport and Junction Railroad, will reach its terminus, near Oswego, by intersecting the Chicago and Burlington Railroad. The Chicago and Rock Island Railroad Runs via Joliet, at which place it crosses the Illinois river. At La Salle it crosses the main line of the Illinois Central Railroad, and the Burlington and Quincy Railroad between Wyanet and Princeton, and then goes westward to Rock Island. Length, 182 miles. The Chicago, St. Charles, and Mississippi Railroad Will run, via Junction and St. Charles, as far as Savannah, Carroll county, on the Mississippi river. On its way, it will cross the Rockford and Central Railroad, the main line of the Illinois Central Railroad, and the Dixon and Galena Railroad. It is now completed as far as St. Charles. Formerly called the Illinois and Wisconsin Railroad, runs from Chicago, via Janesville, Wisconsin, through Wisconsin, crossing the Fox River Valley Railroad at Crystal Lake. Its whole length will be about 360 miles, of which about 60 miles are within the limits of Illinois. It is finished as far as Janesville. The Dixon and Galena Air Line Railroad — Will run, in a straight line, from Dixon, in a northwestern direction, and, after crossing the Chicago, St. Charles, and Mississippi Railroad, lead directly on to Galena. The Fort Wayne, Lacon, and Platte Valley Railroad Is intended to form a connection, in a straight line, between Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the Mississippi river; south of Bourbonnais, it will cross the Chicago branch of the Illinois Central Railroad; the Alton and Chicago Railroad south of Dwight; the main line of the Illinois Central Railroad north of Wenona; the Bureau Valley Railroad near Lacon; the Chicago and Burlington Railroad near Galvy, and terminate about ten miles below Muscatine, near the Mississippi. Commences at Elgin, and runs through the Valley of the Fox river up into Wisconsin. Near Crystal Lake, it crosses the Chicago, St. Paul, and Fond du Lac Railroad. It is finished to the State boundary line. Length, 34 miles. The Galena and Chicago Union Railroad Runs from Chicago, via Junction and Elgin, as far as Freeport. |
