Cincinnati Railroad Advertisement
TEACHERS
This railroad advertisement was created in St Louis and published in 1857. The Little Miami Railroad was one of Ohio’s most important early railroads. It was only the second railroad built in Ohio. The state legislature granted the Little Miami Railroad Company a charter in March 1836. The purpose was to connect the city of Cincinnati to Springfield. The company financed the railroad’s construction through money from both the state government and local governments. The city of Cincinnati also provided financial support for the construction of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad in 1854. The people of Cincinnati hoped that the new railroad would encourage economic growth in the region. Today, many railroad companies have sold their tracks to various municipalities. Cities such as Cincinnati and Newark have converted these former railroad tracks into bike paths and walking trails. This holds true for the Little Miami Railroad which has been turned into a recreational bike path known as the Little Miami Scenic Trail. For additional information about railroads in Ohio visit: http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Railroads
This railroad advertisement was created in St Louis and published in 1857. The Little Miami Railroad was one of Ohio’s most important early railroads. It was only the second railroad built in Ohio. The state legislature granted the Little Miami Railroad Company a charter in March 1836. The purpose was to connect the city of Cincinnati to Springfield. The company financed the railroad’s construction through money from both the state government and local governments. The city of Cincinnati also provided financial support for the construction of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad in 1854. The people of Cincinnati hoped that the new railroad would encourage economic growth in the region. Today, many railroad companies have sold their tracks to various municipalities. Cities such as Cincinnati and Newark have converted these former railroad tracks into bike paths and walking trails. This holds true for the Little Miami Railroad which has been turned into a recreational bike path known as the Little Miami Scenic Trail. For additional information about railroads in Ohio visit: http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Railroads
Courtesy of the Library of Congress, Broadsides, leaflets, and pamphlets from America and Europe, Portfolio 86, folder 4
In 1836 the Little Miami Railroad became the first railroad company to serve the City of Cincinnati. This railroad provided Ohioans with a quicker means to transport goods at cheaper rates to the West.
Student Questions:
- Why was the railroad so important to Cincinnati (and other cities) during this time period?
- Look at the schedule: What stops did the New York and Erie RR make? How often did the Hudson/NYCRR leave? From where did they leave?
- Today there are not many trains that run through Cincinnati. What can you tell about trains in Cincinnati in 1857?