CONTRIBUTED PHOTO The Chicago and NorthWestern Rail Road had a long and distinquished history serving communities in Central Iowa.

Editor’s Note: A recent news article in the Times-Republican reported Amtrak — the national passenger train service — would use Union Pacific Rail Road’s mainline tracks running through Iowa and Marshalltown due to flooding on the Missouri River, sparked a renewed interest in passenger trains. Years ago, Marshalltown was a passenger train hub with three railroads transporting passengers from area depots. This is part one of a two-part series on the town’s once burgeoning freight and passenger train

Opportunity came knocking not once, but twice to Marshalltown in late 1859 and early months of 1860.

In December 1859 it beat out neighboring village Marietta to become the county seat after a bitter and protracted six-year battle resolved by the courts.

But progressive Marshalltownians recognized that if the town was to grow, a railroad was critical.

And the timing to bring rail to Marshalltown was ideal.

They knew a rail line had just been built from Clinton to Cedar Rapids by the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railroad Co.

Business and community leaders fresh from their victory over Marietta also knew how to win.

A connecting rail line was approximately 75 miles away — but the cost of construction was expensive, and there were rumors a proposed line would by-pass Marshalltown in favor of arch-rival Marietta.

Railroads wisely understood the power they wielded — witnessed by town after town served by rail had sometimes doubled, or tripled in size seemingly overnight — followed by significant investments by business and industry.

The railroads were in an ideal position — they simply could wait to be coaxed and courted by towns. And the railroads typically had alternative routes projected, so if necessary to play one town against another.

It was a situation similar in today’s economic climate, where out-of-state businesses looking to move or expand will play Iowa towns against another in hopes of getting the best bid, or financial incentive package.

“It took a lot of initiative, hard work and tax aid to get a railroad in the early days,” reported the June 6, 1949 Times-Republican.

Marshalltown’s Greenleaf Woodbury was no stranger to hard work.

He knew how to play the system to benefit the town, as evidenced in the county seat battle.

He is buried with town founder Henry Anson and other prominent early residents fittingly, on “Founders Hill” in stately Riverside Cemetery.

Woodbury’s advocacy, leadership and investments earned him not only a noteworthy resting place, but also an elementary school and street named in his honor.

Critically, Woodbury knew the railroad business — he had promoted the organization of the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad Co., which was accomplished June 11, 1859, with the object of building the railroad on from Cedar Rapids to the Missouri River.

It remained for local business men to contribute money and effort to assure the building of the railroad through Marshalltown, instead of Marietta.

Woodbury contributed $5,000 and others followed.

Later the railroad announced Woodbury and team were successful.

The line was completed through Marshalltown in January 1863.

The first train would arrive in on March 11 that year, according to the T-R.

As expected, the arrival of the railroad was celebrated with much celebration, fanfare and speeches.

It was a pivotal moment in Marshalltown’s history.

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Contact Mike Donahey at

641-753-6611 of

donahey@timesrepublican.com.