Finch-Marshall Railway Collection

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-054

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The railway collection falls into two logical series of record groups assembled by Mr. C.W. Finch and Mrs. James B. Marshall. The first series, Chicago Great Western and Chicago and North Western Railroads, reflects the collecting interests of Finch and Marshall as it contains the specific information originating from these particular railroad companies. Included in this series are research papers and correspondence, railway agreements, contract and lease abstracts, manuals, newsletters, and photographs dating from 1888 to 1982. An addition of seven Surveyor’s Transit Books dating 1853 are found in box 5, folders 4-7. The second series, National Publications, contains general information generated from national railway publications dating from 1954 to 1982. The contents of each publication are carefully balanced with articles on modern and historical railroad subjects including photographs and illustrations on steam, diesel, and electric locomotion. Also included are newsletters, annual reports, and catalogues issued by railway labor unions and historical organizations. This collection provides a unique complement to the W.W. Embree Collection which contains 34,000 railway photographs and excellent source material on the evolution of railroads during the first half of the twentieth century.

Dates

created: 1887-1999
Other: Date acquired: 00/00/1976

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection are held by the Regional History Center; such literary rights as the donors possessed in the collection are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

The Chicago and North Western Railway Company was organized on June 7, 1859, serving the region west and northwest of Chicago. In 1864, the Galena and Chicago Union Railway Company directors decided to consolidate their interests with the Chicago and North Western resulting in a railroad of 900 miles of track. Following the consolidation, the new Chicago and North Western Railway Company spread rapidly to the west, north and northwest through new construction and additional mergers. The Chicago Great Western Railway Company obtained a charter from the State of Illinois in January 1892, purchasing the Chicago, St. Paul and Kansas City Railroad. This line retained the name Chicago Great Western until July 1, 1968 when it was sold to the Chicago and Northern Western.

Note written by

Extent

3.75 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement Note

Source of Acquisition

Mr. C.W. Finch and Mrs. James B. Marshall

Method of Acquisition

The records on the National Railway System came to the Northern Illinois University Archives in 1976. Mr. C.W. Finch and Mrs. James B. Marshall assembled these materials from a variety of sources. In 1978, the University Archives transferred the collection to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center. Addenda were added to collection at later dates.

Related Materials

Researchers using the collection may also find supplementary material in the Chicago and North Western Society Collection on deposit in the Regional History Center.