Back In The Day, Burlington In Iowa Was An Important Railroad Town
By Kim Magaraci|Published January 08, 2021
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Kim Magaraci
Author
Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
The charming river city of Burlington is a historic Iowa town that helped shape the story of the Midwest and West! This railroad town became a central hub of one of America’s largest railroads and is still an important depot town to this day.
In 1852, the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad was founded in Iowa as a rail line to travel all the way across the Hawkeye State. It became an important rail line immediately, as it crossed both the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
The importance of rail travel in the mid to late 1800s and through the early 1900s cannot be overstated. Finally, there was an efficient and easy way to move people and goods to the west!
By the time the railroad was completed and began operations, it was 1856. Less than 20 years later, it became a part of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, which expanded its influence across the Midwest.
The Burlington and Missouri River Line immediately became popular with travelers and companies who needed access to Chicago and areas west of Iowa as well.
As the importance of railroad travel and transit grew, so did the city! By the late 1800s, Burlington had become a busy river port, where steamboats brought both travelers and goods to meet up with the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.
The "Burlington Route" eventually merged into the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1970, and lasted through 1996 as such. Today, Burlington is still an important stop along the BNSF Railway, and the BNSF is now one of America's largest rail lines. It still crosses the Mississippi and travels through the city's tracks.
If you've never spent a day exploring Burlington's streets and landmarks, plan a day to see this historic Iowa town yourself, and you're sure to have a memorable time.
