Macon County History Museum to host Civil War program
DECATUR – The Macon County History Museum will host a special program entitled “How Railroads Cost the Confederacy the Civil War” on Saturday, December 3 at 1:30 p.m.
Guest speaker at the event is Don Chamberlain.
A flag carried by the 116th Illinois during the Civil War, composed primarily of Macon County residents, was donated to the Macon County Historical Museum.
According to Macon County History Museum executive director Nathan Pierce, the speakers will focus on the influence of US railroads on combat tactics and strategy during the war.
“Problems with railroad size, railroad gauge, railroad management and railroad location, and shortages of railroad spares and railroad workers have all contributed to the South’s defeat,” Pierce said in a media release.
The museum is located at 5580 North Fork Road in Decatur.
People also read…
Photos: Railway photos from the Herald & Review archives
H&R file photo 7-9-1987 Norfolk Southern’s Road Railer stands by to transport novice train passengers.
H&R file photo 6.12.1976 train series
H&R file photo 6.12.1976 train series
H&R file photo 6.12.1976 train series
H&R file photo 6.12.1976 train series
H&R file photo 6.12.1976 train series
H&R File Photo 6-11-1990 Seen in a file photo and still listed as an active steam locomotive, this almost 50 year old Union Pacific locomotive #844 will make a special journey
H&R file photo 02/20/1971 Decatur pattern
H&R file photo from 25.9.1975
H&R File Photo 7-8-1970 With the British Union Jack and the US Stars and Stripes flying side by side, Britain’s Flying Scotsman moved into Ddecatur on Thursday. One of the few remaining operating steam locomotives in the world, the Scotsman is currently touring the United States and is on display today in Chicago.
The Flying Scotsman, a steam locomotive, stops in Decatur during its tour on July 7, 1970.
HERALD & REVIEW
H&R file photo 7/7/1970 The ‘Flying Scotsman’, one of the few remaining steam locomotives in this country, will be in Decatur today.
H&R file photo 12-08-1977 Ross Sowers and passengers ride the local transit system home.
Ron Ernst
H&R file photo 7/24/1987 Ray Brickmeyer’s model railway was built from scrap.
H&R file photo 11/11/1990 Chris Mauzy (foreground) adjusts boxcars in his basement layout while wife Linda and friend Bryan Curlin help.
H&R file photo Pat Vogt rides his gas-powered train to visit neighbors Heather, Barrett and Frankie.
H&R file photo 1-4-1987 Bryan Curlin, far left, and onlookers watch the progress of the model railway on display.
H&R file photo October 23, 1988 Former “Frisco” steam locomotive.
H&R file photo 6-12-1992 Steam locomotive rides will be offered on June 24th
H&R file photo 10/23/1988 The 1926 ‘Frisco’ locomotive puffs out steam as it pulls out of St. Louis.
H&R file photo 10/23/1988 The steam train pulls into Decatur as many fans – both young and old – are on hand to greet it.
H&R file photo 10/23/1988 Helen Roeder, left, and Judy Roeder, both from St. Louis, talk in “Keokuk Car”.
Doug Gaumon
H&R file photo 7-4-1979 Missouri Pacific Railroad worker Bill Butler of Camargo inspects the welds on the rails and repairs the bad connections. He unloads an unusual “Rail Rod” vehicle from his truck and then drives the truck down to the next intersection. On his way back to the track pole, he checks every track connection to find problem spots.
H&R file photo 12/06/1976 Railroad tracks
H&R File Photo 10/21/1958 This event, the Marriage of Rails on May 10, 1869 in Promontory, Utah, marked the completion of the first transcontinental railroad and the beginning of a new American era.
H&R file photo 12/22/1988 Railway workers have recently had a break from the weather, with unusually warm temperatures in December making working outside much more comfortable. Charles King of St. Louis was photographed using a spiked hammer on railroad tracks between Argenta and Oreana on Wednesday. King was part of a crew that trimmed the tracks for grain shipments to a nearby elevator early next year.
Larry Dailey
H&R File Photo 6/23/1978 Aerial view taken in 1978 looking east showing the location of various tracks and train stations in Decatur.
H&R file photo 9/9/1978 Rudy Smith inspects the 40-year batteries in the switch box.
H&R file photo 12/19/1967 One of Decatur’s three worst level crossings; According to city officials, this Norfolk & Western Railway Co. track is on Oakland Avenue just north of Cerro Gordo Street.
H&R file photo 6-8-1985 Motorists now enjoy a smooth ride at the intersection of Wood Street and Broadway.
Jan Abbot
H&R file photo Dave Flannell with Norfolk Southern Corp. replaces the broken level crossing signal.
H&R file photo 9-5-1990 John Boone walks near closed Norfolk Southern Corp level crossing. along 3200 block E. Garfield Ave.
H&R file photo April 19, 1984 Dr. Villa Grove’s William Jones hopes to eventually have a mile of track on which to run his steam engine.
H&R file photo April 19, 1964 Most people would never think of turning an old caboose into a playhouse for children. But it fell to Dr. William Jones a.
H&R file photo 1/31/1978 Allen F. Bennett, right, conducted a railroad hearing today attended by railroad executives. These included (from left) Ray Peterson, Illinois Commerce Commission; DE Visney, Illinois Terminal General Manager and Vice President Raymond C. Harrison, Wabash Valley General Manager and Carl E. Anderson, Wabach Valley Industrial Development Manager.
Doug Gaumon
H&R File Photo 6/11/1976 The state proposes to close the Missouri Pacific Railroad level crossing on Arthur’s West Illinois Street.
H&R file photo March 11, 1980 The three-story model railway layout fills the basement of the Jordan House.
Tom Keefe
H&R file photo 9/26/1981 The Trestle temporarily derailed Dale Young’s model railroad hobby.
H&R file photo 6-28-1985 John Wright, left, and father Bill Wright with model of rail yard.
Markus Lambert
H&R File Photo 4-29-1981 Fixing an intersection is a big job that requires big machinery, as was seen at the Rock Springs intersection earlier this year.
Doug Gaumon
H&R file photo 9/7/1987 Jason Hawkins, left, and Erika Maus were impressed with the ride.
H&R file photo 9/9/1978 Charles Williams, left, Rudy Smith checks crossing signal near Pana.
H&R file photo 9-8-1978 Charles Williams helps Rudy Smith.
Contact Taylor Vidmar at (217) 421-6949. Follow her on Twitter: @taylorvidmar11.
