This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Rock Island Line: Iowa’s Early Rail Giant Ends
The Rock Island Railroad shaped Iowa's early growth, reaching two thirds of the state and founding towns with a 129 year history. It connected Chicago to the Mississippi via a famed bridge, faced steamboat rivals, and backed Lincoln’s rise while expanding through Des Moines, Iowa City, and Council Bluffs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rock Island
Iowa
The
Rock
Mississippi
Hawkeye
Quad Cities
Chicago
Des Moines
Oskaloosa
Trenton
Eldon
Keokuk
Columbus Junction
General Assembly of Illinois
Rock Island and la Salle Railroad
Midwest
Henry Farnam
Joseph Sheffield
Thomas Durant
Chicago and Rock Island Railroad
Waters
Rock Island Arsenal
Ohio River
Louisville
New Orleans
Steamship Company
Abraham Lincoln
Springfield
Ill
Effie Afton
Lincoln
Omaha Council Bluffs
Union Pacific Transcontinental Railroad
Davenport
Muscatine
Grenville Dodge
Illinois Central
West Liberty
Iowa City
Amana
Marengo
Grinnell
Council Bluffs
Iowa River
Minneapolis
Kansas City
Marie Hamilton
Vinton
Garrison High School
Shellsburg
Garrison
Milwaukee Road
Milwaukee