Rock Island Railroad
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Rock Island Railroad History - back to top
The first settlement in Eldon was in 1843 and Eldon owes its growth to the convergence of the Rock Island and the Keokuk / Des Moines Railroads. The Rock Island line to Leavenworth, Kansas was completed in 1869 and the first train chugged into Eldon October 28, 1870. The railroads were the major employers until 1980 when both lines folded.
The first railroad through Eldon was the K & D--a 166 mile road from Keokuk to Des Moines. This included the four mile branch of the Keosauqua & Southwestern from Mt. Zion to Keosauqua. It was organized as the Keokuk, Fort Des Moines and Minnesota Railroad on Sept 1, 1853. It took two years before grading began, and in 1856 a boatload of 4000 tons of rail arrived to begin laying the track.
By 1861 trains were running from Keokuk to Eddyville, but the Civil War halted any further work until 1864. At this time the railroad name was changed to the Des Moines Valley Railroad (DMV), which reached Des Moines Aug 29, 1866. This was the first railroad to reach the state capital.
The DMV went bankrupt in 1873 and was split in two. The parcel North of Des Moines became the Des Moines & Ft Dodge Railroad. The southern route was reorganized as the Keokuk & Des Moines Railroad (K & D).
As an independent line the K & D was at the mercy of its connections, but when integrated into the Rock Island its future was secure. The Rock Island purchased the K & D in 1924. The building known as the KD Center used to be the old sleeping quarters for the men coming from Trenton MO, Silvis, IL, and Des Moines IA.
Eldon Depot Birthday Party Package - back to top
Have your next Birthday Party at the Rock Island Railroad Depot in Eldon, IA!
Party Features:
- Restored Caboose
- Kid Size Wooden Train
- Thomas the Train
- Hobo Hotel
Decorations, Party Supplies, and Beverages included in Birthday Package!
The depot has a restored caboose for the kids to explore and an outdoor child-size wooden train to play on. There is a hobo hotel on the property as well. There may or may not be a hobo at the hotel. Two Thomas the Train sets are ready indoors for the kids to enjoy. Table cover, plates, cups, forks and spoons will be provided along with a beverage. Hostess will need to provide the birthday cake.
The depot will be decorated for your little engineer who may invite up to twelve guests. He/she will receive a t-shirt to wear at the party.
Parties will be held at the following times:
- Week nights 6:30 to 8:00
- Saturday mornings 10:00 to 11:30
- Saturday afternoons 1:00 to 2:30
- Sunday afternoons 1:00 to 2:30
Note: No parties will be held in December
The cost of the party is $60.00 payable in advance. Please make check payable to:
Eldon Depot Committee.
Please complete the following form (or download the pdf form) and e-mail it to Donna Jeffrey at djeffrey@iowatelecom.net or mail to:
Donna Jeffrey
PO Box 303
Eldon IA 52554