Chicago: America's Railroad Capital: The Illustrated History, 1836 to Today

by Brian Solomon, John Gruber, Chris Guss

The first illustrated history of the people, machines, facilities, and operations that made Chicago the hub around which an entire continent's rail industry still revolves. In the mid-nineteenth century, Chicago's central location in the expanding nation helped establish it as the capital of the still-new North American railroad industry. As the United States expanded westward, new railroads and rail-related companies like Pullman established their headquarters in the Windy City, while eastern railroads found their natural western terminals there. Historically, railroads that tried to avoid Chicago failed. While the railroad industry has undergone dramatic changes over the course of its existence, little has changed regarding Chicago's status as the nation's railroad hub. In America's Railroad Capital , longtime, prolific railroading author and photographer Brian Solomon - joined by a cast of respected rail journalists - examines this sprawling legacy of nearly 180 years, not only showing how the railroad has spurred the city's growth, but also highlighting the city's railroad workers throughout history, key players in the city and the industry, and Chicago's great interurban lines, fabulous passenger terminals, vast freight-processing facilities, and complex modern operations. Illustrated with historical and modern photography and specially commissioned maps, America's Railroad Capital also helps readers understand how Chicago has operated - and continues to operate - as the center of a nationwide industry that is an essential cog in the country's commerce.

Genres: History

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly comprehensive guide to the city's trackage. The map is amazingly helpful. I only wish it was able to be referenced simultaneously, like fold out to the top.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I got through the GR First Reads program. I have lived in Chicago and was aware of it playing a large role in the nation's railroad industry, but had little idea of its railroad history. This book has four chapter, each written by a different person. These chapters provide an overview of the railroad industry in Chicago--its overall history, its history specific to passenger travel, the conjunction of railroads and photography, and the current (as of 2013) status and organization of the system.

I'm accustomed to reading historical accounts that provide a larger social and economic context for the topic. This book mentions events that impacted the industry, but didn't leave the Chicago area much, except when connecting a railroad to the city. However, the book's overview makes it clear how much depth there is and that the history of the railroad in Chicago could probably warrant its own encyclopedia if addressed completely.

Personally, I had no idea of the incredible amount of activity that occurred between 1850 and 1910 in building new railroads and laying new lines. It is astonishing. In addition, the connection between the railroad and the development of commercial photography was nicely made. The photograph of the world's largest camera taking the world's largest photo was fun. And that is another pleasure of this book. It is full of photos.

I was hoping for more images related to the passenger train stations as they were described as pretty amazing. Also, each chapter just stopped, there was no conclusion or wrap-up. And the book had none either. Overall, it did make me more curious about the system and its role in the history of Chicago, and I really enjoy looking at the wide range of photographs and maps of the system from different period of time.