Now part of the complex of buildings that form the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the old Springfield Union Station was designed in 1896, and served several railroads over its life, including the B&O, Chicago, Peoria and St. Louis Railroad, Illinois Central Railroad, and the St. Louis, Peoria and Northern Railway. One of five significant passenger depots to have served Springfield, IL, the station was operated as a stub-end terminal by Illinois Central. Passenger trains backed into the station using now removed trackage which extended east along Madison Street to the Illinois Central mainline.
Oh the stories these special buildings could tell. Originally the brains of the rails they monitored, working to insure effecient rail service for our nation! A tribute!
