Re: [BRHSlist] [CBQ] Bill Greenwood Presentation At 2013 Mendota BRHS Meet

["cbqbill1x" <kybillhusb@gmail.com>]

I have a personal interest in Mendota, since my Grandfather's brother had a business in Mendota in the 1900's, and my Grandfather had a similar business in Earlville, just a few miles east of Mendota. 

Here are a few overviews of Mendota from my database: www.ExploreRailHistory.com:

Mendota city history

Mendota was an important city in the early development of Illinois. It was also an important railroad junction point, first reached by the Illinois Central Railroad in 1853 as part of the building of the IC's historic mainline between Freeport, IL, Mendota and Cairo, IL. This line eventually connected Chicago (via a "branch line" that became the mainline) and the Gulf of Mexico. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy was the second railroad to reach Mendota, shortly after the Illinois Central Railroad. At the same time that the Aurora Branch was being built, the people of Galesburg, a town 90 miles to the southwest of Mendota, began to build a railroad toward Chicago. Construction of this line, which was known as the Central Military Tract Railroad, began in 1851. The track laying from Galesburg to Mendota was completed in 1854. The Milwaukee Railroad was the third major rail line to serve Mendota. In 1903, the Milwaukee extended its line southward from its east-west route at Davis Junction. The route passed through Rochelle using the Burlington’s tracks, and continuing southward to Mendota. The tracks entered Mendota from the north about two blocks from the college and then joined the Burlington tracks near the 4th Avenue viaduct. The Burlington operated a branch line that ran from Mendota to Denrock, IL, continuing to Clinton, IA. The town had many businesses as a result of its railroad connections. [4] The population more than doubled in the first 10 years after the railroads arrived in Mendota.

Historical marker: In 1853, two railroads met near this spot and the community of Mendota was born. Mendota is an Indian word said to mean “Crossing of the Trails”. The Chicago & Aurora (later CB&Q) planned to expand southwest from Aurora to meet the Illinois Central Railroad. Meanwhile, the Illinois Central was building northward up the middle of the state. Its charter called for its mainline to proceed northward from Cairo to the western end of the Illinois & Michigan Canal at LaSalle, and from there it was to turn northwest toward the Galena mining district. During a chance meeting of several railroad officers in early 1852 in Boston, the lines agreed to have the Chicago & Aurora and the Central Military Tract Railroads merged and became the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. That line, through recent mergers has become the Burlington Northern Santa Fe. The Illinois Central, meanwhile, abandoned its line through Mendota in 1985. Erected by the Mendota Museum and Historical Society and the Illinois State Historical Society, June 2002.

Coming of the Railroad 

The construction and development of the Illinois Central Railroad and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy were important to the development of Mendota.

The opening of the Illinois and Michigan Canal in 1848 connected the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. It ran 96 miles from the south side of Chicago to the Illinois River at LaSalle-Peru. LaSalle  is 20 miles south of Mendota. 

The opening of the canal marked the beginning of a transportation boom in Illinois. 

In September of 1850, Congress granted the State of Illinois 3 million acres of land (leading to the Land Grant Act) to be used to build a railroad from the southern to the northern end of the state as title to most land at that time rested with the U.S. Government, not private parties. Prior to 1850, only a few, small segments of disconnected rail lines had been constructed in the State of Illinois. The Northern Cross Railroad, which ran from Meredosia and Naples on the Illinois River to Springfield; the Chicago & Galena, extending from Chicago to Elgin;  and a short six mile coal track in the St. Louis area. 

In 1851, Abraham Lincoln and Stephan A. Douglas influenced the General Assembly of Illinois to grant a charter to the Illinois Central Railroad Company, granting the company all land received from the United States Government. 

Construction of the line proceeded rapidly, and trains began to run almost immediately, with a line from Bloomington to Tonica opening on May 16, 1853, and from Tonica to Mendota in November 14, 1853, and from Mendota to Amboy on November 27, 1854. Mendota, Tonica, Wenona, and Rutland were made stations. 

Mendota soon gained daily connections with the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy R. R. for Chicago and the east; also for Galesburg, Quincy, Keokuk, Burlington, and all points in the west. At Mendota the traveller will find a magnificent depot, and one of the best hotels in the Union connected with it, under the management of a clever fellow, by the name of Akin, who is always ready to supply the wants of the inner man. At present (1858) Mendota has about 1800 inhabitants, and is fast increasing in population. [5]

The construction of the Illinois Central Railroad marked the beginning of new transportation era, eventually linking Chicago with the Gulf of Mexico.

The original main line of the Illinois Central ran from Freeport, IL to Mendota, to La Salle, and points south. It was a key event in the development of northern Illinois.

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad 

The Burlington Railroad was built from Chicago to   Aurora in 1852 as the “Aurora Branch Railroad (the Chicago & Aurora)”. In 1854, the line was extended from Aurora to Mendota, being now known as the “Chicago & Aurora Extension Railroad”. Dave Frey’s (my cousin) land title research into his family’s house in Earlville clearly shows the transfer of the land from the U.S. Government to private parties, and mentions the “Chicago & Aurora Extension” as one of the borders to this land parcel. 

At the same time that the Aurora Branch was being built, the people of Galesburg, a town 90 miles to the southwest of Mendota, began to build  a railroad toward Chicago. Construction of the Central Military Tract Railroad, between Galesburg and Mendota was completed between Galesburg and Mendota in 1854. 

The Central Military Tract got its name from a large area of undeveloped western Illinois land called the Illinois Military Tract, that had been set aside for low cost purchase by veterans of the war of 1812. The land encompassed the area between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Sales of the 160 acre tracts began in 1817. The planned route of the railroad ran through the center of this tract of land, hence its name.

Another line, known as the Peoria and Oquawka Railroad, would have provided a connection between Galesburg and Burlington, Iowa. Eventually these roads would encounter financial difficulties, and would be consolidated into the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy.

The completion of the CB&Q to Mendota meant that travelers could now leave Chicago, proceed west on the CB&Q to Mendota, and then by changing trains, could proceed south on the Illinois Central to the southern part of Illinois. Mendota would become an important hub, with travelers being able to travel north and south, east and west, using the Illinois Central, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and later the Milwaukee Road. 

The Milwaukee Road

The Milwaukee Railroad was the third major rail line to serve Mendota. In 1903, the Milwaukee extended its line southward from its east-west route at Davis Junction. The route passed through Rochelle using the Burlington’s tracks, and continuing southward to Mendota. The tracks entered Mendota from the north about two blocks from the college and then joined the Burlington tracks near the 4th Avenue viaduct. The  Milwaukee built its own station on the south end of town. At first, the Milwaukee passenger trains made only one Mendota stop, at the Milwaukee station. Passengers who wished to transfer to the Illinois Central or the Burlington had to walk about six blocks – almost a mile – to get from the St. Paul Station to Union Depot. Eventually, the Milwaukee realized needs of customer service, and henceforth, all trains made two stops. After leaving the city, the line continued south to Ladd, where a branch was built north to Cherry. Both cities had important coal mines, which were the reason for building this branch. Unfortunately, the coal mine in Cherry was closed a few years later, following a disastrous mine explosion in which many died.

Mendota History: The name Mendota comes from an Indian name meaning “Meeting Place” or “Junction”. The name aptly describes Mendota’s place in history, at the junction of the north-south Illinois Central Railroad, and the east-west line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Both roads are now under different ownership.

 

The town of Mendota was platted in 1853, the same year that these two railroads arrived. A merchandising business was the first business established in Mendota, to be quickly followed by a saloon, and then a hotel known as the Mendota House. The need for a hotel quickly became apparent, as connections were not always convenient for travelers changing from the Burlington to the Illinois Central trains, or vice versa.

 

In 1853, a large Passenger House would be built to serve the Illinois Central and the Burlington. The new station incorporated a hotel, and a dining room. Both filled a critical need for the railway traveler. The station was kept busy almost from the start. In 1870, 39 trains per day passed through Mendota – 25 on the CB&Q and 14 on the Illinois Central. Most of these trains stopped at the station during daytime or early evening, making for an average of one train every thirty minutes.

 

The Passenger House burned in 1885, and was immediately replaced with a larger, brick Union Depot, nearly a city block long, and three stories high. Its north end was just off Eighth Street, while the south end extended past Jefferson Street.  The first floor contained a ticket office, two waiting rooms – one for the CB&Q and the other for IC passengers, and a baggage room.

 

Few trains of this era offered Dining Car service on board the train. As a result, the larger train stations of the era offered dining facilities in the station. And so, the Union Depot offered a dining room, and a lunch counter were also located on the first floor. About an hour before scheduled arrival time in Mendota, the conductor would take meal orders from his passengers, being sure to wire the orders ahead to Mendota about 30 minutes before arrival. Upon arrival of the train, the passengers would run for the depot, grab a chair, and wolf down their meals before the train departed 30 minutes later. 

 

The second floor was used by the hotel; this proved to be attractive for passengers who stayed overnight in order to meet train connections. The Mendota Union Depot was considered at the time to be the finest station on the entire Burlington line between Chicago and Omaha.

 

The new station and city attractions attracted groups of people who would travel from Chicago to spend a weekend of dining, dancing, and fishing in nearby Lake Mendota. A full time gardener was employed to keep the grounds neat and trim.

 

The Milwaukee was the first of the three major rail lines to discontinue its passenger service through Mendota. This occurred shortly before 1939. In 1939, the Illinois Central terminated its passenger service through Mendota, leaving the Burlington as the sole provider. Both the hotel and dining room operation had long ceased operation before this time.

 

In 1942, the main portion of the station was razed by the Burlington, with the remainder forming the station that exists today.

 

Mendota served as a water stop, to replenish the tender water supply of the Burlington’s steam locomotives. A water spout was located at each end of the brick station platform for this purpose. A nearby lake, known as Railroad Pond, was used by the railroads as their water supply. In the 1930’s the pond was deeded to the city, and thereafter became known as Lake Mendota.

 

The Burlington maintained a seven stall round house on First Avenue in Mendota to service and turn its steam locomotives from 1922 to 1960.

Mendota was incorporated in 1855. A foundry and machine shop business was established in 1858. Donahue & Madden was the first manufacturing firm to locate in Mendota. The firm specialized in building farm wagons, which were sold in a territory up to forty miles around Mendota.  Another company, Tower Brothers, was engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements, and cultivators, along with sashes, doors, and blinds.

 

By 1867, the board of trustees voted to change from a town to a city government.

 

A good indication of the success of Mendota businesses and employment opportunities can be seen in the profits earned by its first bank, The First National Bank of Mendota. The bank was chartered in 1865 with an initial capital stock of $65,000. Twenty-five years later the bank had earned over $300,000 in net earnings. The Germania Bank was started in 1874, presumably to attract the deposits of the many German settlers that lived in or around this city.

 

A large organ making company, the Western Cottage Organ Company, was formed and employed 100 persons all year. At its peak, the company made 3,000 organs each year in eleven different styles. Another organ company was established in later years.

 

A large number of retail establishments were founded during the next thirty years. By 1885, over eighty different Bakeries, Grocery stores, Drug stores, Dry-goods, Boots and Shoes, Clothing, Milliners, Furniture dealers, Hardware and stove dealers, Coal dealers, Hotels, Wagon and carriage shops, Harness makers, Livery keepers, Blacksmith shops, Agricultural implement dealers, Photographers, Cigars and Tobacco shops, Books and notions, Jewelers were doing business in Mendota.

 

The first flouring mill was built in 1854. A linseed oil mill was built ten years later.

 

Many of the buildings used to house these early businesses burned to the ground, only to be rebuilt, and burn again.

 

The first school was constructed in 1854. It was built as a one room school. The Blackstone School, a large three story school with ten rooms was built on the west side of town in 1868. By 1885, enrollment had reached 500. A high school department graduated a total of forty-three  between 1879 and 1885. The high school courses lasted for three years, and included instruction in Latin and German languages. A four story school with seven rooms was erected on the east side of town to support an enrollment of 300. The teachers included Frances R. Heslet, Alice B. Brown, Mary J. Stevens, Mattie E. Imus, Maggie Brazil, Eva B. Clark, Ella Johnson, and Mrs. Warner.

 

Two seminaries were established: The first being a Presbyterian Seminary, known as the Hoffman Seminary, and later, another, known as the Wartburg Seminary and Evangelical Lutheran College.

1. http://www.mendotamuseums.org/UDRR.htm

2. "The History of Mendota, LaSalle County Illinois" http://genealogytrails.com/ill/lasalle/town/mendota.html

3. http://guitarjourney.tripod.com/rayslasallecountyonlinemuseum/id14.html (many photos; track diagram at bottom of web site)

4. "Magnificent Whistle Stop: The 100 year story of Mendota" https://archive.org/stream/magnificentwhist00mend#page/9/mode/1up

5. "Sketch book of Saint Louis: containing a series of sketches of the early settlement, public buildings, hotels, railroads" (1858) https://books.google.com/books?id=rUUVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA142

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Illinois Central and Chicago & Aurora History

In the early 1850’s, prior to the arrival of the railroads, the area that became Mendota was an unbroken prairie. Then, in 1853, two great railroads arrived: the Illinois Central was the first, being completed from Cairo, IL to Mendota that summer. In late fall, the Chicago & Aurora Railroad (soon to become the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy) completed its line from Chicago to Mendota. Mendota would become the northern terminus of the Illinois Central until construction of its line to Freeport, IL was completed. In the meantime, the Illinois Central used the Chicago & Aurora Railroad tracks to gain access to Chicago.

Almost immediately, the town of Mendota sprung up along the tracks. A brick warehouse (Freight House) was constructed to be shared by the two railroads. A passenger depot and several hotels were constructed; one of the hotels was located at the depot. 

In the winter of 1853 and the summer following led the residents to see the need of a town government. In the spring of 1855, meetings were held and in June an election for Town Trustees was held and the city government was formed.

The city of Mendota was named by the railroad, and laid out by it’s engineer. The Illinois Central claimed the right of naming all stations on their line, hence the number of Indian names. This place was known as the "Junction" and the company gave to it the Indian name "Mendota," meaning "connection" or "joined to." [1]

The two railway corporations had gangs of men working on all points from Mendota. These obtained their goods here and the settlers in the groves about the junction came here with their products, and getting goods in exchange soon made a brisk trade. . The enterprising spirits then in business quickly saw the town that must arise and though many of them had vague ideas of the practical use of a railroad, thinking passenger traffic would be the main business and that it would aid them in their efforts to erect a town, they exerted all mans in their power to create a large place. In the summer of 1854, a trade in lumber was started and for some years was the most important branch of business in town.[1]

As a result, during the winter of 1853-54 and the summer following, an unprecedented growth was seen. Nothing was heard but the sound of carpenter's tools and by the autumn of 1854 the population was nearly one thousand. [1]

The first bank was established in 1856, and closed two years later The First National Bank was organized in 1865.

The population had grown by the winter of 1866 to 2,000 and steps were taken to organize the city under the general State law. The election to decide this step was held on March 4th, 1867.

The German influence

Immigrants from Germany played an important part in the development of Illinois, and Mendota was no exception. (My grandfather was the son of a German immigrant; his brother settled in Mendota, and my grandfather in Earlville, a few miles north of Mendota. The comments below are typical of many other communities in Illinois.

A German Hotel was constructed in 1854. Several additional German churches and a German Lutheran Seminary were organized. (Most likely, the services were conducted in German, and the Bibles were written in German-we inherited a German Language bible from my grandfather in Earlville).

Schools

The earliest school in town was held in a small frame structure, erected in 1854. The present school on the east side was completed in 1867.  The next year a school on the west side was finished.

Churches

The first church was built in 1855. Six additional churches were constructed in the next 20 years.

Library

The Mendota Library Association was opened in. 1874.

Newspapers

The first newspaper was opened in. 1855, and was followed by a German newspaper, in 1858.

1. "The History of Mendota, LaSalle County Illinois" Transcribed by Nancy Piper  http://genealogytrails.com/ill/lasalle/town/mendota.html (the text below has been edited from this publication)

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Hotel and Original passenger station 1853-1888 683 Main St. ( 8th Street and 6th Avenue)

This large station was an important passenger transfer point between trains running on the Illinois Central's original mainline and the CB&Q. In 1870, 39 trains per day passed through Mendota – 25 on the CB&Q and 14 on the Illinois Central. Most of these trains stopped at the station during daytime or early evening, making for an average of one train every thirty minutes. The Passenger House burned in 1885, and was immediately replaced with a larger, brick Union Depot, nearly a city block long, and three stories high. Its north end was just off Eighth Street, while the south end extended past Jefferson Street.  The first floor contained a ticket office, two waiting rooms – one for the CB&Q and the other for IC passengers, and a baggage room.

 

This  two story combination hotel, restaurant, and depot was built by the Illinois Central in 1853. The large facility was an important passenger transfer point between trains running on the Illinois Central's original mainline between Cairo and Davenport, and the CB&Q, which was then building its line west from Chicago. Mendota was the end of the line for the CB&Q for several years.  Mendota became a popular summer resort for Chicagoland residents, who would take the train to Mendota, and then enjoy the parks, and dances that were held in the area.  In 1870, a total of 39 passenger trains stopped daily in Mendota. Twenty-five by way of CB&Q and 14 via the Illinois Central. 

http://www.mendotamuseums.org/raypix/pashous.htm

http://guitarjourney.tripod.com/rayslasallecountyonlinemuseum/id5.html

http://guitarjourney.tripod.com/rayslasallecountyonlinemuseum/id14.html

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Hotel and Second Passenger station 1888-today

The original Mendota Station was a wooden structure, located a considerable distance from the present depot. This station burned in 1885, and was replaced by a large, imposing 2 story brick structure, that housed the ticket office, a dining room, kitchen, hotel, baggage room, lunch counter, telegraph office, and express office. It was considered to be the largest and best equipped depot between Chicago and Omaha. (Ref 8)

 Most of the 1888 structure was demolished around 1941, and the north end was rebuilt and refurnished into the present modern station. The structure is well maintained, and houses a railroad museum. (Ref 8)

1. http://www.pbase.com/trailryder/image/56286558 

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendota_%28Amtrak_station%29  

3. http://www.greatamericanstations.com/Stations/MDT/Station_view  

4. http://www.mendotamuseums.org/UDRR.htm 

5. http://digital.hagley.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/p268001coll29&CISOPTR=256&CISOBOX=1&REC=10 

6. http://www.mendotamuseums.org/ud1920s.gif 

7. http://www.mendotamuseums.org/raypix/oldgatet.htm

8. https://archive.org/stream/magnificentwhist00mend#page/15/mode/1up

9/ http://www.mendotamuseums.org/raypix/pashous.htm

10. http://guitarjourney.tripod.com/rayslasallecountyonlinemuseum/id14.html (many photos)

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