Interurban - Gillespie, Illinois

G i l l e s p i e Gillespie, Illinois - Macoupin County Illinois, - State of Illinois - United States Of America

Interurban
Illinois Traction System
Gillespie, Illinois

Gillespie and The Interurban
The electric trolley railway was known as the Interurban. This is a small portion of the railway furnishing transportation through central Illinois, from St. Louis, Missouri through Alton, Edwardsville, Staunton, Sawyerville, Benld, Gillespie, Carlinville, and on north to Springfiled, Peoria, Bloomington, Decatur, Danville, and other points in between. The Illinois streetcar system of Champaign and Urbana was purchased by William B. McKinley in 1890 and thus began McKinley Lines, the basis for the beginning of this railroad. Through merging and connections with other lines, this became the Illinois Traction System and the route was completed through to Staunton in 1905. Another line betrween Alton and Edwardsville, the Illinois Terminal Railroad was bought by Illinois Power and Light in 1928 and then in 1956 these lines were merged to form the Illinois Terminal Railroad Company. The Benld-Gillespie Bike Trail is on part of the route of this railway system. See : Benld-Gillespie Bike Trail

1904 Gillespie Depot March 3, 1956 in Gillespie, Illinois Photographs furnished by : Jill Secoy

Gillespie and The Interurban

   The electric trolley railway was known as the Interurban. This is a small portion of the railway furnishing transportation through central Illinois, from St. Louis, Missouri through Alton, Edwardsville, Staunton, Sawyerville, Benld, Gillespie, Carlinville, and on north to Springfiled, Peoria, Bloomington, Decatur, Danville, and other points in between.
   The Illinois streetcar system of Champaign and Urbana was purchased by William B. McKinley in 1890 and thus began McKinley Lines, the basis for the beginning of this railroad. Through merging and connections with other lines, this became the Illinois Traction System and the route was completed through to Staunton in 1905. Another line betrween Alton and Edwardsville, the Illinois Terminal Railroad was bought by Illinois Power and Light in 1928 and then in 1956 these lines were merged to form the Illinois Terminal Railroad Company.
   The Benld-Gillespie Bike Trail is on part of the route of this railway system.
See : Benld-Gillespie Bike Trail

1904 Gillespie Depot

Depot Photo

March 3, 1956 in Gillespie, Illinois

Main Street Photo

Photographs furnished by : Jill Secoy