July 19, 1855 – The 25-ton Antoine Le Claire – the first locomotive to cross the Mississippi River – is transported to Davenport, Iowa via flatboat. The Le Claire cost $12,000 and was highly decorated with red wheels, and a bronze bust of Antoine Le Claire in base relief on the sand box with his name inscribed in gold letters.
With its headquarters in Davenport, the M&M Railroad had lofty goals of building three lines in Iowa – the first running east/west from Davenport to Council Bluffs via Iowa City, the second running south from Muscatine to the Missouri border via Oskaloosa, and the third running north from Muscatine toward Minnesota via Marion/Cedar Rapids. Over the first ten years, much of the work entails casting vision, partnering with eastern-based railroads, and raising funds.
READ MORE ABOUT THIS IOWA STORY HERE.
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