# The Rock Island Signal

This pole and "G" head are the remains of a signal that was installed sometime in the late 1930's. This signal replaced the old blade type signal seen in the center of the photograph. Notice the location of the river relative to the signal in the photograph and the river's location today. The western 609 feet of the original bridge were removed and filled in during the mid 1960's with material dredged from the lakes at the Middle Island Development.

The building shown in the photograph was manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week by the Rock Island Railroad. The Burlington Northern tracks were in place before the Rock Island so the Rock Island's "Rocky Mountain Rocket" between Chicago and Denver had to stop for the BN trains.

The Rocket provided passenger service between Chicago and Denver until the railroad closed in March of 1980. April of 1980 saw the last Rock Island train cross the bridge before the tracks were removed in late 1980.