Ancona to Pekin - 57.70 miles (less 5.91 miles belonging to the T.P. & W. RR. Co. Which we run over from Streator Junction to Pekin Junction. See contract Secretary's number 5813 with the C.P. & SW. RR. Co. Made September 21st, 1872.
First Board of Directors elected June 29th, 1869.
This line was first projected, Chicago to Pekin and beyond and was incorporated in Illinois as the Chicago, Pekin and South Western R.R. Co. Name changed by act of the Legislature to the Chicago and Plainfield R.R. Co. February 24th, 1859. Name change again April 19th, 1869. Sold under foreclosure May 31st, 1881. Acquired December 31st, 1883 by the C.St.L. & W. RR. Co.. Incorporated again in Illinois as the Chicago & St. L. & W. RR. Co. May 15th, 1882. Sold March 23rd, 1885 to the C. & St. L. Ry. Co. Sold to the CSF&C Ry. Co., December 15th, 1886. Sold to the AT&SF Ry. Co. June 1st, 1900. On the 15th day of December, 1886, the Santa Fe took possession of the line Chicago to Pekin.
Grading was started in 1871-2 at the Peking end. Mr. F. E. Hinkley of Galesburg Ill., was the president. Elected January 9th, 1872. A. E. Blount was the first Chief Engineer, W. P. Sisson of Galesburg was the first superintendent. Succeeded in 1876 by D. H. Conklin. He staid as superintendent until 1880 when he was relieved by S. B. Reed as receiver. He appointed J. M. Murry, Superintendent. Both Messrs. Reed and Murry resigned in 1882 and went to the Canadian pacific. Succeeded by Mr. T. D. Gant, as receiver Mr. A. H. Crocker was receiver when the Santa Fe bought the road, December 15th, 1886. He staid for a while as Superintendent. Was succeeded by H. C. Ives as Superintendent. Mr. B. T. Lewis was private Secretary to the President. Afterwards Chief Clerk to Mr. A. A. Robinson, C. E. And G. M. Of the AT&SF Ry. Mr. F. Plumb was Sec.
Sheet #4 - Illinois Division. Pekin Branch - Continued.
On the 21st day of September, 1872, the first train was run through from Pekin to Streator (a mixed train) The original contractors were Pierce, Clark & Sharp. They failed. Contract transferred to Col. Ralph Plumb, on January 6th, 1873. The road from Streator to Pekin was formally opened for freight and passenger trains.
The old Chicago, Pekin and South Western bought and condemned at one time the right-of-way from Streator Junction (Eureka) to Pekin Junction and did considerable grading in short stretches over the entire line (approximately six miles) but never, laid any track upon it. They have now lost all right and title to same by adverse possession. They own one track however, through Eurka Yard, which they maintain and look after. At on time they had a round house, turntable, etc. At Streator Junction. The remains of the foundation are still visible. The old Company stopped for some time at Streator and ran out northwest toward Plainfield. They then changed back to about where the line now is in 1875. They built from Streator to Mazon Creek, where they met the C. & A. (Formerly the Chicago & Illinois River R.R. ) and ran into Chicaog over the C. & A. In 1884-'85 they built into Chicago from the reverse curve, just West of Mazon Creek to Western Avenue and 26th Street and connected with the street cars and then used the Grand Trunk to get to Dearborn Station. Mr. Hinkley built the bridge over Mazon Creek.
The Santa Fe got a charter for the AT&SF RR Co. In Chicago. Incorporated in Illinois May 11th 1887. Sold March 26th, 1902 to the AT&SF Ry. Co.
The Santa Fe bought the 26th street line form the Grand Trunk Railway Company, July 20th, 1887. Leased to the Illinois-Northern Railway Company August 1st, 1902, for fifty years. They, Chicago, Pekin and South Western stopped quite a while at Joliet waiting for money to go on. They had a hard financial struggle, form beginning to end, but found a very satisfactory purchaser in the Santa Fe. It is said they made good money and paid up all debts with a handsome surplus left over. At one time they had a turntable, shops of different kinds, just south of Corwith. The remains of the different foundations can still be traced on the ground.
The red Express (Chicago to St. Louis) was put on in October 1890 and pulled off in the fall of 1892. The train was turned over to the Peoria, Pekin & Jacksonville Railroad at Eureka, Illinois.
At Pekin a new 6-stall Frame Round House was built in 1916-1917, by Contractor Lundgren & Carlson A new 85-ft. Steel Turntable was put in at the same time. (JMM-c)
Meads Manual transcribed in altered form for the web by Russell Crump
Established 04/22/96-Updated 09/01/2008