Galesburg, Illinois - A Strong Railroad Heritage

The first train pulled into Galesburg on December 7, 1854. Four original lines -- The Aurora Branch, Central Military Tract, Peoria & Oquawka, and the Northern cross -- eventually merged to form the foundation of the CB&Q system in Illinois. The formation of the railroad into and through Galesburg in four directions had a dramatic effect on the community. The population grew rapidly and the building trades prospered. Galesburg became a home for a major railroad installation, and the CB&Q became the city's largest employer well into the twentieth century. In 1926 the CB&Q employed 3300 persons in Galesburg. That led to the formation of good relationships and of financial and other benefit to all parties. This long era good feeling continued to the time of formation of Burlington Northern in 1970.

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