Chicago, Attica and Southern Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Chicago, Attica and Southern Railroad , nicknamed the "Dolly Varden Line", was a railroad linking small towns in west central and northwestern Indiana
to the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railway (C&EI) near Momence, Illinois
(where traffic continued on to Chicago). Never financially strong, the CA&S nevertheless continued operating through World War II
before abandonment.
(where it joined the Monon Railroad
) south to the city of Brazil
. Primarily a coal hauler, the C&GS later reorganized as the Chicago and Indiana Coal Railway (C&IC) and extended the line further north to La Crosse and Wilders
in order to form connections with other railroads.
The management of the C&IC "Coal Road" became intertwined with that of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois, and a connection was built between the two that ran from Percy Junction north of Goodland
(on the C&IC) northwest to Momence, Illinois
(on the C&EI). By 1894 the Chicago and Eastern Illinois had absorbed the smaller C&IC.
In 1913 the C&EI went bankrupt. As part of its reorganization over the next several years, it cut free the old "Coal Road" which in turn organized itself into the Chicago, Attica and Southern Railroad, selling to other railroads some of its more valuable lines for cash. The CA&S struggled through the 1920s and found itself bankrupt in 1931. It never left receivership or turned a profit again, and began to abandon its track in increments over the next fifteen years. The CA&S abandoned its connection to the C&EI in 1943, shut down operations in September 1946, and was completely abandoned shortly thereafter.
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
to the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railway (C&EI) near Momence, Illinois
Momence, Illinois
Momence is a city in Kankakee County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,171 at the 2000 census, and 3,063 in 2009. It is part of the Kankakee–Bradley Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Chicago–Naperville–Michigan City, IL-IN-WI Combined Statistical...
(where traffic continued on to Chicago). Never financially strong, the CA&S nevertheless continued operating through World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
before abandonment.
History
In the 1880s the Chicago and Great Southern Railway (C&GS) completed a rail line from the Indiana community of Fair OaksFair Oaks, Indiana
Fair Oaks is an unincorporated town in Union Township, Jasper County, Indiana....
(where it joined the Monon Railroad
Monon Railroad
The Monon Railroad , also known as the Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville Railway from 1897–1956, operated almost entirely within the state of Indiana...
) south to the city of Brazil
Brazil, Indiana
Brazil is a city in Clay County, Indiana, United States. The population was 7,912 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Clay County. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. Primarily a coal hauler, the C&GS later reorganized as the Chicago and Indiana Coal Railway (C&IC) and extended the line further north to La Crosse and Wilders
Wilders, Indiana
Wilders is an unincorporated town in Dewey Township, LaPorte County, Indiana....
in order to form connections with other railroads.
The management of the C&IC "Coal Road" became intertwined with that of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois, and a connection was built between the two that ran from Percy Junction north of Goodland
Goodland, Indiana
Goodland is a town in Grant Township, Newton County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,043 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Goodland is located at ....
(on the C&IC) northwest to Momence, Illinois
Momence, Illinois
Momence is a city in Kankakee County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,171 at the 2000 census, and 3,063 in 2009. It is part of the Kankakee–Bradley Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Chicago–Naperville–Michigan City, IL-IN-WI Combined Statistical...
(on the C&EI). By 1894 the Chicago and Eastern Illinois had absorbed the smaller C&IC.
In 1913 the C&EI went bankrupt. As part of its reorganization over the next several years, it cut free the old "Coal Road" which in turn organized itself into the Chicago, Attica and Southern Railroad, selling to other railroads some of its more valuable lines for cash. The CA&S struggled through the 1920s and found itself bankrupt in 1931. It never left receivership or turned a profit again, and began to abandon its track in increments over the next fifteen years. The CA&S abandoned its connection to the C&EI in 1943, shut down operations in September 1946, and was completely abandoned shortly thereafter.
Communities
At its height, the Chicago, Attica and Southern served the following communities, from north to south:- Momence, IllinoisMomence, IllinoisMomence is a city in Kankakee County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,171 at the 2000 census, and 3,063 in 2009. It is part of the Kankakee–Bradley Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Chicago–Naperville–Michigan City, IL-IN-WI Combined Statistical...
- Pogue
- MoroccoMorocco, IndianaMorocco is a town in Beaver Township, Newton County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,129 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Morocco is located at ....
- Beaver CityBeaver City, IndianaBeaver City is an unincorporated town in Washington Township, Newton County, Indiana....
- BrookBrook, IndianaBrook is a town located in Iroquois Township, Newton County, Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 997.-Geography:Brook is located at 40°51'58" North, 87°21'57" West ....
- Percy Junction
- GoodlandGoodland, IndianaGoodland is a town in Grant Township, Newton County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,043 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Goodland is located at ....
- WadenaWadena, IndianaWadena is an unincorporated town in Union Township, Benton County, Indiana. It is part of the Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
- LochielLochiel, IndianaLochiel is an unincorporated town in Union Township, Benton County, Indiana, USA.-Geography:Lochiel is located at at an elevation of 801 feet.-History:...
- SwaningtonSwanington, IndianaSwanington is an unincorporated town in Center Township, Benton County, Indiana. It is part of the Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
- OxfordOxford, IndianaOxford is a town in Oak Grove Township, Benton County, Indiana. The population was 1,162 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Lafayette, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
- Pine VillagePine Village, IndianaPine Village is a town in Adams Township, Warren County, Indiana, United States. The population was 217 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Pine Village is located at the intersection of State Road 55 and State Road 26, near Big Pine Creek...
- WinthropWinthrop, IndianaWinthrop is a small town in Warren Township, Warren County, Indiana.-History:Winthrop was platted on March 3, 1884 by farmer Jacob Morgan Rhode ; the name probably comes from a personal name. A north/south line of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad known as the "Coal Road" served the town...
- KickapooKickapoo, IndianaKickapoo was a small town in Warren Township, Warren County, Indiana. Platted by Lewis Davisson on February 2, 1885, the town never grew substantially and is described in a 1913 history as having "a small population".-Geography:...
- AtticaAttica, IndianaAttica is a city in Logan Township, Fountain County, Indiana, United States. The population was 3,245 at the 2010 census.-History:Attica was laid out by George Hollingsworth and platted by David Stump on March 19, 1825...
- Rob RoyRob Roy, IndianaRob Roy is an unincorporated town in Shawnee Township, Fountain County, Indiana.-History:Rob Roy was destroyed by a tornado named after the Scottish outlaw Robert Roy MacGregor by local John I. Foster, a lover of literature who was especially fond of Walter Scott's novels...
- AylesworthAylesworth, IndianaAylesworth is an extinct town in Shawnee Township, Fountain County, Indiana....
- Stone BluffStone Bluff, IndianaStone Bluff is an unincorporated town in Van Buren Township, Fountain County, Indiana.-Geography:Stone Bluff is located at , about 9 miles south of Attica and less than a mile to the west of U.S. Route 41....
- VeedersburgVeedersburg, IndianaVeedersburg is a town in Van Buren Township, Fountain County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,180 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Veedersburg is located at on U.S. Route 136 just west of its intersection with U.S...
- Steam CornerSteam Corner, IndianaSteam Corner is a small unincorporated settlement in Millcreek Township, Fountain County, Indiana.-History:In the 1880s the Chicago and Great Southern Railway completed a north/south rail line through Fountain County which ran from Clay and Vigo counties in the south to Newton County and Kankakee...
- KingmanKingman, IndianaKingman is a town in Millcreek Township, Fountain County, Indiana, United States. The population was 511 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Kingman is located at , on Indiana State Road 234 about 2 miles west of U.S...
- TangierTangier, IndianaTangier is an unincorporated town in Liberty Township, Parke County, Indiana, USA.-Geography:Tangier is located at at an elevation of 630 feet....
- SylvaniaSylvania, IndianaSylvania is an unincorporated town in Liberty Township, Parke County, Indiana, USA.-Geography:Sylvania is located at at an elevation of 666 feet....
- West UnionWest Union, IndianaWest Union is an unincorporated town in Reserve Township, Parke County, Indiana, USA.-Geography:West Union is located at at an elevation of 528 feet....
- Mecca Mills
- CoxvilleCoxville, IndianaCoxville, also known as Roseville, is an unincorporated town in Florida Township, Parke County, Indiana, USA.-Geography:Coxville is located at at an elevation of 522 feet....
- RosedaleRosedale, IndianaRosedale is a town in Florida Township, Parke County, Indiana, United States. The population was 725 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Rosedale is located at ....
- Coal BluffCoal Bluff, IndianaCoal Bluff is an unincorporated town in northern Nevins Township, Vigo County, Indiana, USA. It is part of the Terre Haute metropolitan area.-History:...
- BrazilBrazil, IndianaBrazil is a city in Clay County, Indiana, United States. The population was 7,912 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Clay County. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area...