The fourteenth day of February is a very important day in
the history of the Burlington, as it was on this day in 1855 that the Illinois Legislature
passed a special Act changing the name of the company from Chicago and Aurora Railroad
Company (the old Aurora Branch Railroad Company) to The Chicago, Burlington and
Quincy Railroad Company, and so the Burlington was born.
Coincidently, on the same day, the Illinois Legislature passed specials Acts
creating the Jacksonville and Savanna Railroad Company - conveyed to the
Burlington in November 1861 - and the Rock Island and Alton Railroad - became
part of the Burlington in 1876 after name changes, acquisitions, etc.
Also on this day, but in 1870, the Kansas City and Cameron
Railroad Company and the Hannibal and St Joseph’s Railroad Company merged
to become the Hannibal and St Joseph Railroad Company. The Burlington took a controlling
interest in the H&StJ in 1883.
Happy Birthday!
Rupert Gamlen
Auckland NZ