Glen Carbon in Madison County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Railroads

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 22, 2021

1. Railroads Marker

Inscription.

Railroads. . , Illinois Central Depot , Railroad facilities in Glen Carbon were nothing less than fantastic. Excursion trains to Marine on the St. Louis and Eastern from St. Louis were "packed from one end to the other with pleasure seekers."

In October 1893, John Tolocker bought the first ticket sold from Gen Carbon to St. Louis at the handsome new depot on the St. Louis and Eastern railroad. Other citizens from Glen were attending the World's Fair in Chicago.

Villagers were able to attend the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis via the popular Clover Leaf railroad, which was promoting a one dollar round trip fare.

The Illinois Central, the Clover Leaf, and the Litchfield and Madison were all conducting busy passenger and freight service through the village by the 1920's.

Successors of the Litchfield and Madison and the Clover Leaf, (Chicago and North Western and the Norfolk Southern) are two remaining railroads carrying freight through the village today.

Electric Street Car and Trestle , This photo shows the electric street car that served the Village of Glen Carbon as it passed through Glen Crossing along the route of now highway Ill. 159. The photo is taken looking east along the right-of-way of the Illinois Central. The Illinois Central Railroad became the Heritage Bike Trail and this particular photo is where the Bike Trail now passes under Rte. Ill. 159 via a tunnel. Many coal miners and workers that worked in mines in Maryville or businesses in Edwardsville used this car.

Main Line Steam Railroads to Glen Carbon , This map show main line steam railway lines involved in the development of Glen Carbon's railroads, as those lines existed circa 1930 following completion. Illinois Terminal routes (electric and steam) are not shown. Principal connecting routes of Chicago and Western and Illinois Central also shown for reference.

Early Railroads , "Three steam railroads passed through the limits of the Village at the time of its incorporation. The Litchfield and Madison Railroad was originally part of the Jacksonville and Southeastern Lines, and it became an independent line when that system disintegrated. It traversed a rich territory and was known as 'Coal Road' from the large quantities of fuel it transported from the mines to the market. It is now a part of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad System. Mine No. 1 was located adjacent to this railroad.

The 'Clover Leaf' (Toledo, Cincinnati, and St. Louis Railroad) was built through Madison County in 1882-3 as part of a narrow gauge railway system from the East with regular service being offered on May 14, 1883. this road was changed to standard gauge in 1889, and is now part of the Norfolk and Western Railroad.

In 1885, a railroad line was built between Springfield, Ill, and East St. Louis. Along this line in the Glen Carbon area were sunk two coal mines (No. 2 and No. 4). This railroad was later acquired by the Illinois Central Railroad."

This Illinois Central Railroad ceased to use the line through Glen Carbon in 1977. The railroad right-of-way is now the Heritage Bike Trail.

Toledo, St. Louis and Kansas City RR Co. Way Bill , From New Douglas to Edwardsville Creamery for milk dated July 13, 1889.

Illinois Central Depot
Railroad facilities in Glen Carbon were nothing less than fantastic. Excursion trains to Marine on the St. Louis & Eastern from St. Louis were "packed from one end to the other with pleasure seekers."

In October 1893, John Tolocker bought the first ticket sold from Gen Carbon to St. Louis at the handsome new depot on the St. Louis & Eastern railroad. Other citizens from Glen were attending the World's Fair in Chicago.

Villagers were able to attend the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis via the popular Clover Leaf railroad, which was promoting a one dollar round trip fare.

The Illinois Central, the Clover Leaf, and the Litchfield & Madison were all conducting busy passenger and freight service through the village by the 1920's.

Successors of the Litchfield & Madison and the Clover Leaf, (Chicago & North Western and the Norfolk Southern) are two remaining railroads carrying freight through the village today.

Electric Street Car and Trestle
This photo shows the electric street car that served the Village of Glen Carbon as it passed through Glen Crossing along the route of now highway Ill. 159. The photo is taken looking east along the right-of-way of the Illinois Central. The Illinois Central Railroad became the Heritage Bike Trail and this particular photo is

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where the Bike Trail now passes under Rte. Ill. 159 via a tunnel. Many coal miners and workers that worked in mines in Maryville or businesses in Edwardsville used this car.

Main Line Steam Railroads to Glen Carbon
This map show main line steam railway lines involved in the development of Glen Carbon's railroads, as those lines existed circa 1930 following completion. Illinois Terminal routes (electric and steam) are not shown. Principal connecting routes of Chicago & Western and Illinois Central also shown for reference.

Early Railroads
"Three steam railroads passed through the limits of the Village at the time of its incorporation. The Litchfield and Madison Railroad was originally part of the Jacksonville and Southeastern Lines, and it became an independent line when that system disintegrated. It traversed a rich territory and was known as 'Coal Road' from the large quantities of fuel it transported from the mines to the market. It is now a part of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad System. Mine No. 1 was located adjacent to this railroad.

Historic Glen Carbon Photo Displays image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 22, 2021

2. Historic Glen Carbon Photo Displays

1889, and is now part of the Norfolk and Western Railroad.

This Illinois Central Railroad ceased to use the line through Glen Carbon in 1977. The railroad right-of-way is now the Heritage Bike Trail.

Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City RR Co. Way Bill
From New Douglas to Edwardsville Creamery for milk dated July 13, 1889.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is May 14, 1883.

Location. 38° 44.927′ N, 89° 58.983′ W. Marker is in Glen Carbon, Illinois, in Madison County. Marker is at the intersection of Collinsville Street and South Main Street, on the right when traveling north on Collinsville Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 192 S Main St, Glen Carbon IL 62034, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Churches (here, next to this marker); Glen Carbon (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Railroads (here, next to this marker); Glen Carbon Won the Inter-City Championship in 1934 (here,

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next to this marker); Homesteads (here, next to this marker); Village Government 1912 (here, next to this marker); Baseball (here, next to this marker); Industry and Notable Buildings (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glen Carbon.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on March 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.