Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad $5000 bond 1880s (Illinois) 

Famous railroad. Nice vignette of two scenes (a steam train and a steamship loading passengers) surrounding a man's portrait. Folds down the center from storage. Issued and cancelled. Dated late 1870s to early 1880s. Measures approximately 13.5 by 8.5 inches.

The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway had its roots in the Chicago and Rock Island of 1851. This company was merged with others into the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad in 1866 and was reorganized in 1880 under the same name but with the word Railway in the title.

Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was a major U.S. Midwest carrier, starting in 1851 as the Rock Island and LaSalle Rail Road, becoming the first to link Chicago with the Mississippi River by 1854, and expanding into a vast network across 14 states by the 1940s, known for its reach to Omaha, St. Paul, Kansas City, and beyond.

1851: Chartered as the Rock Island and LaSalle Rail Road, starting construction from Chicago.

1866: Became the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad (CRI&P).

1880: Reorganized as Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway.

19 33: First bankruptcy due to the Great Depression and infrastructure issues.

1960s-70s: Faced intense competition from cars, planes, and trucks; a planned merger with Union Pacific fell through, worsening its financial state.

1975: Entered receivership again.

1980: Operations ceased due to a strike, leading to liquidation and the end of the railroad.

Product descriptions and images
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