How Railroads Helped Chicago Economically and Broke Transporation Barriers

Thesis:

The development of the railroad system in Chicago broke the barriers that prior to the railroad, limited the transportation of products and people. It strongly aided and was essential to the economic growth of Chicago as well.

Introduction:

Prior to the railroads construction of the railroads, the fastest way to get to and from Chicago was by boat on a canal or land travel by horse. Which was a slow and difficult journey. In order for Chicago to gain population and economically grow, they needed an easier and faster method of transportation and travel. To satisfy this need, they built railways that connected Chicago to the rest of the United States. Almost all the responses to the constructions were positive, besides the ones who spoke out about the pollution it would cause. The railroads would give Chicago easy and cheap transportation of goods and people throughout all of the United States. The city would become a mecca of the railroad, get an widely used elevated railroad system, and is now one of the most populated cities in the United States.

The Pioneer in Chicago

This is a picture of The Pioneer, the first locomotive to operate a train in Chicago. That started the railroad revolution in Chicago