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Collection on the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 79

Scope and Contents

The Collection on the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad is organized into three series. The Newspaper Clippings series (1960-1982 and undated) contains photocopies of newspaper clippings related to the Rock Island Line compiled by the Moline Public Library. The Correspondence and Other Papers series (1960-1978 and undated) contains official records of the Rock Island Line, including correspondence, press releases, flyers, transcripts of hearings, and other papers. The Subject Files series (1907-1987 and undated) contains photographs, promotional booklets, literature related to the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973, and other papers. There are no materials related to Rock Island railroad personnel or train accidents, with the exception of a photograph of a 1910 crash in box 3.

Dates

  • Creation: 1907-1987 and undated
  • Creation: Majority of material found within ( 1960-1982)

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from Augustana College Special Collections and the copyright holder.

Historical Note

The Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad, commonly known as the "Rock Island Line," was chartered in 1847. When the charter was amended to reflect the line's expansion to Chicago in 1851, the railroad was named the Chicago and Rock Island. The railroad received its most recent name, the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad, after a merger with the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad in 1866. The railroad continued to expand until the early 1960s, when the company's profits began to suffer, before declaring bankruptcy in 1975. The Rock Island Line ultimately ceased operations in 1980.

Extent

0.8 Cubic Feet (/ 3 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad, commonly known as the "Rock Island Line," was chartered in 1847. When the charter was amended to reflect the line's expansion to Chicago in 1851, the railroad was named the Chicago and Rock Island. The railroad received its most recent name, the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad, after a merger with the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad in 1866. The Collection on the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad is organized into three series. The Newspaper Clippings series (1960-1982 and undated) contains photocopies of newspaper clippings related to the Rock Island Line compiled by the Moline Public Library. The Correspondence and Other Papers series (1960-1978 and undated) contains official records of the Rock Island Line, including correspondence, press releases, flyers, transcripts of hearings, and other papers. The Subject Files series (1907-1987 and undated) contains photographs, promotional booklets, literature related to the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973, and other papers.

Arrangement

The Newspaper Clippings and Correspondence and Other Papers series are arranged chronologically. The Subject Files series is arranged alphabetically.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Transferred by Ross Paulson from the Moline Public Library in April 1986.

Related Materials

MSS 304 Tom Jackson collection of railroad memorabilia and photographs MSS 304a James Ratcliffe collection of railroad photographs

Processing Information

Processed by Samantha Crisp, June 2014. Revised by Atticus Garrison, June 2016.

Title
Collection on the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad, 1907-1987 and undated (bulk 1960-1982).
Status
Completed
Author
Atticus Garrison
Date
June 2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Augustana College Special Collections Repository

Contact:
639 38th Street
Thomas Tredway Library
Rock Island Illinois 61201 United States