Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-28
BIC CELEBRATION
IN CITY IN 1854
Opening of Railroad Traffic to
Mississippi Brought 5000
People to Rock Island.

Il is doubtful II there ever was a
celebration on a Washingtons birth
day anniversary locally that has
equaled the one held in Rock Island %
years ago.
Il was Feb. 90. 1854. that the big
celebration W. 1e.d and people gath
cred from Chicago AID al the neigh
boring cities and country around 10
participate in d. Rock island then
was but a small place but il is est
mated that fully 5000 people we're
present for the big event
The big celebration marked the com
pletiou OF the first railroad between
Chicago and the mississippi river, the
road then known as the Chicago and
Rock Island, later the Chicago, Rock
Island and Pacific and which formed
the nucleus around which has been
built the big Rock Island system.
William A. Meese Of Moline has
found a copy Of the Chicago Press
OF February, 1854, IN which an &C
count Of the celebration held in Rock
Island is given. The story:
"Wednesday last the 22nd inst,
that event looked forward 70 for years
with 30 much interest by our citizens
the connection of the mississippi
with Lake Michigan by a continuous
line OF railroad-was contaminated
The honor OF arriving first at this i'm
portant goal belongs 70 the Chicago
g. Rock Island road-an honor, BY the
way, well worthy the Herculean efforts
which have been made 10 achieve II.
In February, 1851, the legislature char
tered the company-iu October OF
the same year the contract for its con
siructiOn and equipment was taken
in April, 1852, the first estimate for
work upon II was paid-and in Feb
ruary, 1S54-three years from ITS char.
ter. and p months after ground had
been broken upon 1.-THE y:ork is com.
p.eted, and cars are running daily its
entire length-1S1 miles. This is Ger
tainly a proud monument to all who
have been instrumental I'm pushing the
work forward TO completion. and es
pecially so to those sagacious aI,l
energetic men who have had il in spe
Cial charge Messrs. Sheffield auC
Farnam
Wednesday, morning, the 22ud inst.
a. $50 the mayor and common couu
ell % the city OF Chicago. and q mum
Der Of citizens, in all about $50. lef
the depot Of the Rock Island road. il
Il train Of six splendid passenger car,
from the WauufactDry Of A. b SION,
and company OF This city for an ey
curslon TO Rock Island. in honor o.
LAe completion OF tho road The d.,
was one OF the most delightful OF tn,
season, and the genial sunshine. ant
the celebrating atmosphere. chimes
III we'll with the eXultaut spirit. whicl
sparkled I'm the eye and suone in th
coUntenuuCe Of every one Of that good
ly company. The train was tasteful
~ ornameuted with flags and eyel
greens, and It's arrival at the differeu
towns along the line was greeted wit
the shouts OF the people. and tn
firing OF Caunous At Joliet. Morri,
Ottawa, LaSalle, Peru. Tiskilwa. Gel
eseO, Moline and other places acce,
slons were made To our numbers. an
when the train arrived at Rock Islam
there could not have been less tina
$50 persons on IT,
The reception az Rock Island wa
a magnificent spectacle Thousand
OF people lined the streets. and Grove
ed the doors and windows. Fair Il
dies waved their korchiefs. and stol
men and youths shouted exultiugl,
while ever and anon the thunder