There is so much to learn about history in Illinois. Depending on what interests you, there is usually a museum or small town that serves as an expert destination. As a history nerd myself, I love visiting local historical societies and seeing up close the homes, buildings, and streets that hold significance in a community’s early years. This small town in Illinois full of railroad history is perfect for train enthusiasts, as well as travelers trying to get across the state.

Carbondale is a small town located in Southern Illinois with a population of just under 22,000 residents. It's home to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and has a rich history as a rail hub.
Explorecdale, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
As many as 53 passenger trains drove through the city each day at the height of the city's train travels.
small town in Illinois full of railroad history
City of Carbondale Illinois
The town itself was heavily planned around the implementation of the Illinois Central Railroad. On July 4, 1854, the train rolled through Carbondale for the first time — marking a new era in trade and transportation for Southern Illinois.
Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Related Stories

Some People Don’t Know That Illinois Was The First To Do These 10 Things

Some People Don’t Know That Illinois Was The First To Do These 10 Things

 oldest building in Illinois

The Oldest Building In Illinois Was Used By Lewis And Clark, Dismantled, Displayed At World's Fairs, And Reconstructed In Its Original Site

 2023 Chicago-area tornado

A Cluster Of Tornadoes Touched Down In The Chicago Area, Including O'Hare International Airport
The original train depot was a simple wooden structure, which was replaced by a new brick and limestone building in 1903. Between 1992-96 the station was restored, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
Nyttend, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
An Amtrak station was built less than 1,000 feet away to transport people between Chicago and New Orleans.
Buddahbless, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
A statute honoring conductors stands proudly in the town square, surrounded by a beautiful garden. The statue was made possible by donations from those who wanted to memorialize the town's railroad history.
Explorecdale, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Would you visit this small town in Illinois full of railroad history? What type of Illinois history are you into? Tell us in the comments! Learn more about the railroad history of Carbondale, Illinois by heading to the City of Carbondale’s website and City of Carbondale’s Facebook page. While you’re in Carbondale, check out one of these nine amazing nature trails, stop by the local farmer’s market, or pop in for some great local pizza.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Illinois

Featured Addresses
Carbondale, IL, USA