Binding Our State Together

200 Years of Canals, Railroads, Postal Service, Interurbans, and Roads

In Illinois, as in most places, people and communities have sought to connect with other places for personal, cultural, economic, and political reasons. During our 200 years, private companies, state government, and national government have developed different forms of transportation and communication. Each form made unique contributions to this binding process by expanding the spaces used by people and economic activities and would be worthy of its own session. Yet, at this time of our bicentennial, this session will cover them as part of the cumulative effect. Our territory was changed from a sparsely settled and minimally connected area to a place with an extensive set of linkages between communities and regions. As these linkages expanded connectivity for most people, some have had to deal with fewer connections by any means other than an automobile. Clearly, these transportation and postal service developments have been key factors in shaping our state’s history and character. Though the core changes are obvious and perhaps taken for granted, the details and interesting stories along that historical path are fascinating and illustrate our desires and need for connections.

Presented by Dr. Norman Moline, Professor Emeritus, Augustana College

This Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau presentation is co-sponsored by The Champaign County Genealogical Society, the Champaign County History Museum, and the Champaign County Historical Archives at The Urbana Free Library.

Ilinois Humanities is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly [through the Illinois Arts Council Agency], as well as by contributions from
individuals, foundations and corporations.

Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by speakers, program participants, or audiences do not necessarily reflect those of the NEH, Illinois Humanities, our partnering organizations, or our funders. 

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