History of Steward Railroad
Wesley Steward, the founder of the Village of Steward, negotiated with the Chicago and Iowa Railroad officials to finish
the railroad line from Hinckley to Rochelle in 1870. Alto Township residents took out $32,000 in bonds to get the track
laid, and many farmers helped with this task. Regular trains did not run on the Hinckley Railroad (as it was called at first)
until April 1871, there being only one train a day until 1872. The railroad offices and warehouse were in Steward's barn
at first. The first depot was built in 1871 and is believed to have burned down in 1894. The present structure was built
in 1896. A coal shed and stockyards were east of the elevator. Livestock was shipped to Chicago to the markets. At one
time there were eight daily passenger trains through Steward; four made stops in Steward - two going east the two going
west. Passenger service stopped before 1970. There were two tracks through the town, but one was removed. On March 3, 1970,
the C B & Q Railroad became the Burlington Northern Inc. In 1976, the Burlington Northern Railroad deeded the depot to the
Village of Steward. The depot was moved into Wesley Steward Memorial Park, turned 180 degrees, and placed on a new cement
foundation. The Village decided to turn over the care of the depot to a private group of citizens - The Depot Committee.
In 2003, The Depot Committee came under the management of the Village Board once again. Plans were originally to make the
building into a library and museum. Books were collected but never catalogued and the library did not materialize over the
years. Several historical items are housed in the west room of the depot, but nothing has been done with them for many years.
Corner of Main & Tyler
Steward, IL.
For more information email villageofsteward@juno.com
