Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad Company stock certificate c1880 (Illinois)

Railroad collectible stock cert!  Unusual single brown color for border, text, and vignette. Unissued and cancelled with hole punch through secretary signature. Dated 188_. Circa 1880 from company records.  Measures approximately 11 x 7 inches. 

The Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad (C&EI) was a Class I railroad established in 1877 that linked Chicago with southern Illinois, St. Louis, and Evansville. Known primarily as a "coal railroad," it served as a vital link for transporting fuel from central Illinois and Indiana mines to Chicago, as well as a bridge route for southern passenger traffic.

Expansion:
It grew through the consolidation of three predecessor lines: the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes; the Evansville, Terre Haute & Chicago; and the Evansville & Terre Haute. By the early 1900s, it reached Thebes, Illinois, providing a connection across the Mississippi River.

Passenger Service:
The C&EI was famous for its "Dixie Route" service to Florida, operating trains like the Dixie Flyer and Dixie Flagler. Its Chicago terminal was the iconic Dearborn Station.

Acquisition and Split (1967–1976):
In 1967, the Missouri Pacific Railroad (MoPac) gained control of the C&EI. A subsequent agreement in 1969 split the railroad's assets:

Louisville & Nashville (L&N):
Acquired the line from Evansville to Woodland Junction, with joint rights into Chicago.

Missouri Pacific:
Merged the remaining C&EI corporate entity on October 15, 1976, and was later acquired itself by the Union Pacific Railroad.

Product descriptions and images

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