The opening of the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad was celebrated with much rejoicing
in Rock Island on February 22, 1854. The Rock Island Advertiser published the following article the next morning:
"It is done! The tocsin of Progress and Enterprise has sounded its march
from the Atlantic to the beautiful shores of the Mississippi at Rock Island. The first train of cars arrived at
this city, on yesterday, at 5 o'clock, P.M.
We were on the ground at an early hour, prepared to see and rejoice with the thousands
who were there collected. Amid the acclamations of a multitude that no man could number, and the roar of artillery,
making the very heavens tremble, punctual to the moment, the iron horse appeared in sight, rolling along with a
slow yet mighty motion to the depot. after him followed a train of six passenger cars crammed to the utmost with
proud and joyful guests, with waving flags and handkerchiefs, and whose glad voices re-echoed back the roar of
greeting with which they were received.--Then came another locomotive and train of five passenger cars, equally
crowded and decorated. This splendid pageant came to a stop in front of the depot, and the united cheers of the
whole proclaimed to the world that the end was attained, and the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad was opened through
for travel and business.
The guests were appropriately received at the depot by committees appointed for
that purpose, when J. J. Beardsley, Esq., in behalf of the city of Rock Island, arose and in an eloquent and imposing
manner pronounced... "The event that has called forth this demonstration, is none other than the fact that
on this day the coast of the Atlantic Ocean has been bound to the shores of the Mississippi River, with bands of
iron."
On March 1, 1854, William Brackett, Esq., published remarks about John Buford's role in this event in the Rock
Island Advertiser.
Arsenal Bridge
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It was the first railroad bridge to cross the Mississippi River.
Construction began in 1854 and was completed in April 1856.
In May of 1856 portion of the bridge was destroyed by fire.
[Read more about that here: Abraham Lincoln and the Railroads]
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In 1872, a second bridge, made of iron, was built by the Arsenal.
It consisted of a single rail line above the wagon path.
The bridge was built by the Baltimore Bridge Company and had a five spans 220 to 260 feet long.
The draw was 368 feet in length and the width was a narrow 16 feet.
It was used for two way wagon traffic.
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The 1872 bridge was replaced in 1896, as locomotives and rail cars had become too heavy for the structure.
The Government Bridge was built to accommodate the automobile and increased railroad traffic.
This design, with two railroad tracks on top, is unique in the United States.
The swing span turns 360 degrees either direction.
It is operated by a 56 horsepower streetcar motor, original to 1896.
The bridge operator controls the swing span from the house on top of the bridge.
A ground person makes sure all the traffic is off the bridge span before it turns.
Once the bridge is open the wind can easily move it.
The bridge is owned by the U.S. Government but operated by private contractors, which means that any ticket issued
on the bridge falls under federal fines.
Source: Tour of the Arsenal Island.
C. Horton - 2007
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