June 29, 2014 - January 25, 2015
Since 1855 when the first railroad line was constructed in Muscatine, the City has laid claim to over 35 named railroads. Some helped the City prosper while others were merely proposed or were new names adopted by active railroads as they grew or came out of bankruptcy. The exhibition, "Railroads of Muscatine County", includes artifacts, photographs, and artwork to explore the histories of the local railroads. Among the railroads features in the exhibition are the Rock Island Lines, the Muscatine City Railway Company, and the Muscatine & Iowa City Railway, which did not survive its first year from incorporation.
"Railroads of Muscatine County" contains interesting facts such as the details that earned the Muscatine, Burlington & Southern Railroad Company the nickname, "The Maimed, Burned & Scalded Railway". The exhibition features engaging components for the young and the 'young at heart' including a toy train table, a step-on caboose, and working "O and S Gauge" model railroads.
The 1850s brought some of the first railroad milestones in the Midwest. The first land grant railroad in the United States was completed with the arrival of the Illinois Central in the area of East Dubuque, Illinois. The first railroad bridge to span the Mississippi River connected Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa, and was completed in 1856. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act in 1862 to authorize construction of the first transcontinental railroad.
Leaders throughout Iowa recognized that the railroad would be an important tool in transporting goods, raw materials and passengers into and out of their communities. Towns competed with each other to attract railroad lines. Considerable capital and years of planning and constructing were required to launch a new railway line. Mississippi River towns like Muscatine relied on the river for the transportation of goods, but the railway system greatly expanded the town's ability to quickly reach new markets, especially those to the west.
The supply of fresh produce from the Muscatine Island was a key factor in launching the Muscatine North & South Railroad. There was a constant shortage of railcars to haul produce by the Rock Island System and as a result, produce rotted while waiting for shipment. The Muscatine North & South Railroad incorporated on February 15, 1893 with the first train running on January 20, 1899.
The Muscatine North & South Railroad, like other railroads in the area, faced receivership (corporate bankruptcy), multiple reorganizations, buyouts and breakups of the railway line. Rail lines were marginally profitable, and as better roads and more affordable automobiles were introduced, many rail lines were scrapped. Even the longest-lived lines in Muscatine, such as the Rock Island Lines, underwent consolidations, bankruptcy and buyouts. The Muscatine & Iowa City Railway was the shortest-lived interurban in the State of Iowa, running for only six months in 1916, while other lines were started and abandoned unfinished.
Since 1855 when the first railroad line was constructed in Muscatine, the City has laid claim to over 35 named railroads. Some helped the City prosper while others were merely proposed or were name changes employed by active railroads as they grew or came out of bankruptcy. In the early 1900s, Muscatine had four active railroads, two inter-urbans and a city trolley system.
"Railroads of Muscatine County" opened at the Annual Ice Cream Social on Sunday, June 29th with activities from 1 to 5 p.m. The exhibition will run through January 25, 2015.
EVENT DETAILS:
Activity: Opening of Exhibition, "Railroads of Muscatine"
When: Sunday, June 29
Time: 1:00 - 5:00 PM (During the Annual Ice Cream Social)
Where: Muscatine Art Center
Admission to this event is FREE.
Activity: "Muscatine Railroad History" Talk and Guided Tour will Bill Lindsay
When: Sunday, July 20th and Sunday, August 17
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Where: Muscatine Art Center
Admission to this event is FREE.
Description: Join local railroad enthusiast, Bill Lindsay, for a talk and guided-tour of the exhibition, "Railroads of Muscatine County". Bill will share his knowledge of the seven main lines which serviced Muscatine such as the Rock Island Line; Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern; Muscatine North & South; and the Muscatine City Railway. This program is FREE.
Activity: "Grass Between the Rails" by Denny Rehder
When: Thursday, September 4th
Time: 5:30 PM
Where: Muscatine Art Center
Admission to this event is FREE. This program is sponsored by Humanities Iowa.
Description: "Grass Between the Rails" celebrates Iowa's railroad heritage with a unique blend of stories and original folk songs about the development of railroads in Iowa. The subjects cover events of national importance such as the race across Iowa to connect with the transcontinental railroad to the West, and local history, including the poor service offered by the "Slow Norwegian." Other topics include the somber "Worst Wreck Ever," a farm boy's remembrance of "The One Elephant Circus," and the rollicking "Doodlebug."
Denny Rehder, is a local historian. His avocation for nearly fifty years has been music. Now that musical ability is combined with another avocation - Iowa railroad history - to offer a program on this overlooked part of Iowa's past. Rehder has been involved as author, editor, publisher, photographer or researcher in the publication of seven books on subjects from Iowa history. He is a native of Gladbrook who grew up watching the trains of the Chicago Great Western mainline.
The Muscatine Art Center is open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 PM Admission is FREE.
