Plainfield, Ill. Oct. 25, 1886
Mr. B. F. Booker,
Engineer in charge of surveys,
Kansas City to Chicago
Dear Sir:
In accordance with instructions received through Mr. H. Ropes, I took charge of party
September 18 and I have the honor to report to you on a portion of a located line from Henry,
Illinois to Chicago - beginning at Station 1776+46, Deer Park Tp. La Salle Co., Illinois to Station
4354 running via Ottawa and Lisbon.
First, I ran a preliminary line down what is locally called "Widow's Run" as directed by Mr.
Ropes, finding it possible to get a line this way, getting the best Illinois River crossing to be had in
La Salle Co. and the only possible line through Ottawa, I located on the same.
Following down "Widow's Run" to the Illinois Bluffs then supporting eastward on bluff
through Sec. 30, 29 and 28 of S. Ottawa Tp. and crossing Illinois River on Sec. 21 same Tp. then
to a crossing of Illinois and Michigan Canal and CRI&P Ry. at a point just west of Ottawa City
limits, passing through Ottawa via 2nd and Joliet Streets, parallel (and 1st Streets north of) to
CRI&P Ry. then along Canal Feeder, crossing Fox River on Sec. 6 of Fall River Tp. and crossing
the divide on Sec. 36, Rutland Tp. and Sec. 31 Miller Tp. laying tangent to a point near the center
of Sec. 29 Miller Tp. to avoid what is locally called "High Mound" from this point I laid tangent
to a point on old Pekin grade, just north of Lisbon.
From Lisbon I laid tangent to Plattville - 1000' south of village. From Plattville I attempted
locating on a tangent to Plainfield, but found the "Sand Ridge" just west of Plainfield more than we
could stand, using maximum grade (0.8) we have 50 stations of 8' to 16' fill - 3000' cutting
maximum 28'. It would be impossible to get a line over this ridge on Secs. 23 and 26 excepting
near the S.E. Corner Sec. 26. This would be shown by Mr. Ropes' preliminary line, but his line
had supporting ground, being laid much farther south at Plattville, therefore taking or making the
climb on the side of the ridge (this ridge runs nearly N. and S.). I therefore laid line for the center
of south line Sec. 14, then to Plainfield. Comparative distance from Plattville to Plainfield, as
follows -
Tangent =
Loc. Line =
In favor of tangent = 3300'
The alignment down "Widow's Run" is bad, the work can be improved somewhat by throwing
line a few feet at different points. This "Hole" Station 1975 cannot be improved, at Station 2015 if
the line was 50' R. would give Sand Rock foundation at elevation shown on profile, with probable
curvature on bridge and heavier cutting, Station 2019. The profile shows necessary structures at
Covel Creek and Illinois River. The Sand Rock abutments shown at Illinois River will withstand
the washing of the river. At the canal and Rock Island Ry. I have shown overhead crossings, the
ground south of Canal being as high as there is until we get inside city limits the ground north of
Rock Island Ry. is the highest to be had.
Cross the "Y" of the Rock Island Ry. and CB&Q Ry the siding and stub-track of CB&Q Ry.
and the canal feeder requiring a draw bridge. The Fox River can be crossed with a deck bridge;
the bed of the Fox River is solid rock.
From Station 2566, there is a possible line north keeping from 3/4 to 1-1/4 miles north of
located line until summit is crossed, or it is possible to connect with located line at Station 2690,
thus getting better ground or supporting ground. From Sec. 29 Miller Tp. to the ridge west of
Plainfield the country is much the same at a considerable distance either side of the line, therefore
I can see no reason why the line should not be laid to the north of Plattville, then to the point on
Sec. 14 (to which I have located) thus saving distance over location and as on the present location
avoid crossing the ridge.
For comparative distance we have -
Mr. Randall's Station 919 at Tonica = Location 1405+40
" " " 1930 E. of Fox River = 2465 or 4860' in favor of Mr. Randall's prelim. line.
Mr. Ropes' preliminary Station 47 = Randall's 1930 = Location 2465
Mr. Ropes' distance Station 47 to Plainfield 1916 Stations
Location distance 2465 to Plainield 1923 Stations or 700' in favor of Mr. Ropes' prelim. line.
I have endeavored to put all notes possible on profile for a complete estimate.
The farming lands we cross are without doubt the best in the State; a considerable quantity of
all kinds of grain is grown, but the chief industry of the farmers is stock growing, the finest breeds
of cattle, horses and hogs. The first town on this portion of the located line is Ottawa with a
population of 10,000. The Pioneer Construction Company of Chicago have their factory here; they
ship 1400 cars of manufactured goods annually and are now doubling their capacity. Five glass
works, two of which manufacture bottles, the remainder - window glass, these five works ship
annually 1200 to 2000 cars. On the south Illinois Bluffs (along the located line) there is a ledge of
St. Peters Sand Rock. This is in demand; the bottle works are now teaming it. The Ottawa Wagon
Works and several other minor manufacturers make Ottawa an important point. The people of
Ottawa will offer strong inducements to get the line through the town, such as vacating streets and
probably offering depot grounds and right of way outside. It would cost to buy the needed depot
grounds (taking the ½ block on north side of Joliet St.) From $15,000 to $20,000. From Station
2352 to Station 2382, there is a 30 or 40 acre tract suitable for yards or shops that can be bought
for $125 per acre.
Between Ottawa and Lisbon the people are about equally divided as regards a road being
built. The people of Lisbon are very anxious that the road touch their village and have no doubt but
what considerable aid would be given. I believe it would become a more profitable point to the
company than Plainfield.
At Plattville it would not be necessary to hit near the village to get the trade at that point; the
business portion (two small stores) would readily move to a Station and as for aid, the prominent
figure, Mr. Platt of Plattville, is not a liberal in the sense of aiding a railway. The people as a
whole will aid of securing a line between Lisbon and Plattville.
I have taken but little time in making this report, the weather being good, I have been in the
field. I trust you will find the profile complete enough to cover any shortages in report.
I am
Yours Respt.
(Signed) Geo. T. Baker
Volume 12 Splinters pages 110 - 112 transcribed in altered form for the web by Matt Lee.
The Splinters - Volume 7 | The Splinters - Volume 12 | The Splinters - Volume 14 | The Splinters - Volume 19 | The Splinters - Volume 23
ATSFRY.com |
Junction Records |
Plans & Plats |
Oral history |
Train Orders |
Photo |
Clicbooks |
Available |
The |
Meades |