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The Burlington & Missouri River Railroad in Nebraska
| It is the delight of every community to sing the praise and perpetuate the memory of all its public or private benefactors, and it is no less a privilege than a pleasure to accord to the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad in Nebraska great credit in building up Lancaster County, and developing so thoroughly and so soon, the wonderful resources of this region. The rich endowments of nature are now accessible to those desiring pleasant homes. That the railroad has a permanent and mutual interest in the State, is proved by the number, permanency and value of its improvements all along the many lines, and especially in the city of Lincoln, where are located its round-house and machine shops. Its passenger depot at Lincoln is the finest depot owned by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and is deserving of especial mention here. It is a brick structure, with limestone ornamentation, of the Greco-Italian style of architecture, 57x156 feet in size, and three stories in height, including the lofty mansard roof. The finish is very fine; the wood being pine, and the walls rough float. The internal arrangement is very convenient. The first floor is devoted wholly to the comfort and convenience of passengers. The second floor is occupied by the offices of the land department, together with the telegraph and the different superintendents' offices. On the third floor are the electric generators for 907 miles of telegraph line, consisting of 240 cups. The most noteworthy addition is that of a very commodious and neatly furnished reading room, provided with books and periodicals, for the exclusive use of employees, and open at all hours, both day and night. The road has about 300 employees at Lincoln, where its business amounts to several hundred thousand dollars annually. Besides aiding in populating the city of Lincoln, it is now one of its chief means of support. The sale of the B. & M. lands in this county has been very rapid, and to illustrate how rapidly the county is settling up, the following statement has been prepared. | |
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The B. & M. Railroad owned in Lancaster County: |
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The price has ranged from $4 to $12 per acre for the land. Improved farms sell from $18 to $35 per acre. |
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It is thought that by 1883, Lincoln will have received four additional roads, which will make it the "Indianapolis" of the west. |
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Source: http://www.ukans.edu/carrie/kancoll/andreas_ne/lancaster/lancaster-p2.html#railroad |
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