[Illinois]:

$375 · Offered by William Reese Company

THE ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY OFFERS FOR SALE OVER 1,500,000 ACRES SELECTED FARMING AND WOOD LANDS, IN TRACTS OF FORTY ACRES AND UPWARDS TO SUIT PURCHASERS, ON LONG CREDITS AND AT LOW RATES ... A promotional for available lands along the railroad across the state of Illinois. The two maps depict a comprehensive national railroad map as well as a detailed view of the Illinois railroad system. The Illinois Central Railroad lands run along the system's two lines - one running north and south through the center of the state, and the other branching northward toward Chicago from Centralia. The text provides much agricultural and geological information, as well as testimonial letters praising the quality of the soil. There are also sections discussing the cost of moving to Chicago, and giving prices of products, fuel, and fencing. Buck shows that several similar publications were issued by the railroad from 1855 to the early 1870s. There is another issue of this 1857 with a Chicago imprint. An excellent overview of the railroad's push across the Midwest.

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