Illinois newspaper directory. History of the Illinois press association

A Brief History of theChicago Great Western Railroad CompanyThe Chicago Great Western Railroad from its very small beginning,almost a half of a century ago, to the present time, had its originthrough a charter granted in Minnesota in 1854 to the Minnesota &Northwestern Railroad Company.The movement for the Company's formation was, however, notactually begun until some thirty years later, when the charter wasacquired by A. B. Stickney, who commenced construction shortly afterwardsof the first link from St. Paul. Minn, to Lyle, Minn, and openedit for operation in November, 1885.A new empire was rising in the Northwest and the far-seeing menof the time were considering plans and means for its development.Keen rivalry existed for the growing and prospective trade betweenthe Northwest and the rich Illinois and eastern markets.In ibis vision was found the inception of the Chicago Great WesternRailroad and the bringing of it to realization through a gradualprocess by the construction of new lines supplemented by the merger ofother roads independently started.Thus the Chicago Great Western System was extended from Minneapolis,eastward to Chicago, in 1887; southward to Kansas City, in1888, and westward to Omaha, in 1904.The Chicago Great Western Railroad, at the present time, ownsand operates 1.495.27 miles of road, serving directly the states of Illinois,Iowa, Kansas. Minnesota and Missouri.By intelligent and broadly conceived policy that provides the kindof equipment and operation to insure the highest type of modern railroadservice, the Chicago Great Western has kept abreast with theprogress and growth of the territory traversed by its lines.An aggressive, uninterrupted program of betterment during recentyears included: reballasting the entire roadbed—laying heavy railrebuilding bridges—reduction of grades—installation of automaticsignal system — purchase of new passenger and freight equipment, andnew additions and betterments, are constantly being made contemporaneouswith the best and most modern in use.Nearly a half of a century of successful operation has enabled theChicago Great Western R. R. to provide transportation service withever increasing usefulness to the vast productive territory it helpedto build.724