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Hear the story of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad, the first railroad to serve Rockford. Learn about its route across Northern Illinois, its impact on our local community, and more.
From the Rockford Railroad Convention of 1846, through the completion of the route from Chicago to Freeport in 1853, until its merger with the Chicago & North Western in 1864-65, the first railroad to serve Rockford was very successful. Learn about its visionary first president Wm. B. Ogden, its route across Northern Illinois, our local depots, the earliest locomotives (and where you can still visit the first one!), and its impact on our local community. See a few recent photos to help you recognize parts of its route that you may encounter as you drive in our local area.
Presented by Lynell Cannell, local historian, Winnebago/Boone County Genealogical Society board member, speaker and docent at Rockford's Ethnic Heritage Museum, and presenter at Rock Valley College's Center for Learning in Retirement.
TAGS: | Special Event | Culture |
Come visit the East Branch, located in the former Barnes & Noble building on East State St. The East Branch offers a 65-seat meeting room, free Wi-Fi, quiet study rooms, special areas for children and adults, and an expanded collection of books and media, as well as a Friends of RPL book shop.
