February 16, 1856 – The M&M Railroad’s locomotive – The John A. Dix – arrives – with much fanfare – in Davenport, Iowa by crossing over Mississippi River ice. Records indicate that The Dix was the 7th M&M locomotive to cross over into Iowa – and the uniqueness of its crossing was the big story – since it all happened over a frozen Mississippi River.
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.
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