Marty's blog

No, this isn’t Chicago, it’s in the middle of farm fields in Union Illinois. 

But of course, the Illinois Railway Museum has everything to do with Chicago and its history, since that city’s history is all about the railroads, and vice versa.

Actually Union, Illinois in only about 25 minutes from where we now live, but we haven’t been there since we moved to McHenry County.  We’ll have to get a membership and come more often (it’s really cheap and supports the whole operation which is all volunteers).  If you’re into trains, there’s more than you can see in one or two visits!

They have tons (literally!) of old Chicago commuter streetcars and trains.

Everything has great descriptive plaques.

They even have an old CTA station,

tons of signs,

and just about everything railroad. I probably have ridden on one or two of these cars. 

Now this is really scary.  I remember when these trains were new, and now they’re in a museum!

Remember these?

When I was a kid and we lived off of Lincoln Avenue, all the main streets had the overhead wires for the trolly buses.  They dissappeared almost overnight (that has an intersting history of corruption and conspiracy having to do with the auto makers and gas companies.)

Many of the old streetcar tracks still remain under the existing pavement on many of Chicago’s main streets.  You can still sometimes see the tracks exposed in underpasses (the reason is that they can’t build up the pavement because they want to keep the clearance as high as possible for trucks to get under, so the thin pavement deteriorates quickly).

Lots of pictures in this post. Enjoy. Everything from rusty old steam engines to nicely restored ones, street cars to commuter trains, locomotives of all kinds.

Some great restored interiors!

When you get tired of walking, which you will – on different days they offer rides on a different train.

They even have old buildings and structures related to the railroads, all brought here from somewhere else.

I’m back on a Joni Mitchell thing, haven’t posted anything for a while.

I really want to meet her. Don’t think I ever will. Too bad she doesn’t perform anymore.

I’m working on another series of “preservation” seminars for next year. But I no longer have the drive to be involved much with the preservation of historic buildings. it doesn’t seem so important anymore lately. In the past few years I’ve become so deeply aware, and alarmed! at the loss of habitat and species on this planet. I at least can try to have an effect in my own backyard! So I’m gonna pester people with environmental issues now, maybe get one or two minds pried open. People are still not caring enough — too many not caring at all. I decided to call my talks “They Paved Paradise”, in tribute to guess who?

And here’s more of my favorite Joni

Memorial Day was not yet observed in 1863, but if it had been, it would also have fallen on Monday, May 25th.  The first Memorial Day was in 1865, and observed by freed slaves to recognize dead Union soldiers.  It was originally called Decoration Day, with the graves of the soldiers being decorated with flowers picked from nearby fields.

On May 25th, 1863, Manley Stacey, a soldier in the Union Army was seeing his father for the first time since he volunteered about nine months earlier, in August, 1862.  Arriving on Saturday the 23rd, his father had come to Camp Hayes in Centerville, Virginia to spend a couple of days with him.  It was a little more than a month before Manley would see battle for the first time at Gettysburg.  For their visit, Manley got a pass and he and his father went and stayed in Washington DC together, parting in Washington on the night of May 28th. 

So they spent what would have been Memorial day weekend together.  They only saw each other one more time after that, when Manley got a short furlough to visit home later in September.  Manley Stacey died, accidentally shot, on December 26, 1863.

Here are Stacey’s letters home from May 26th and May 29th, 1863:

May 26th 6,30 AM

Dear Mother

We have been in so much excitement for the past few days, that I have not written as much as I should have done. I was very glad, on Saturday, to see Father. I had just been down in Swimming, & had washed my Shirt, & had nothing on but my Blouse. I was looking rather rough, but then they could see how we work it. Every day, since they have been here, we have run around the Country. I think Father has enjoyed his visit, very much. The Col has been very kind he has excused me from Duty every day, & has signed our Passes for Washington. I am very glad they have come down, it has done me a great deal of good, both the rest & the visit. I am expecting a great deal from my Trip to Washington, & think the change, will benefit me, At any rate, I shall feel more like doing my Daily Duty.

I should have been very glad, to have seen you here, & think the change would have done you a great deal of good. I had no idea you thought of coming, or I should have written & urged it before. I think I shall succeed in getting a Furlough in August, that is if we remain in this Camp. Then I shall have be 21 in August also. I am very much obliged for the things you sent, the Sugar, Tea, Stockings, Collars &c &c. all of which I wanted. I am now equipped for the Summer, I suppose Father has told you all about his Travels. There is one thing that I am sorry about that is, that we could not go on the Bull Run field.

Love to all
Will write soon again

Manley

——————–
Camp Hayes

May 29th 8 PM

Dear Father

Well we here in Camp again, which makes me feel at Home again. After you left last night I got my supper, & went around the City a little, then Slept at our Boarding house all night. This morning the first thing, after Breakfast, we went up to the Provost Marshals, to get our Pass, to cross the River. The office was closed up so we made up our mind’s to run the risk of the one we had. Then we got our Figures & letters. We then met Capt Perry of Co B, at Williards, who told us we could go on the Train from Alexandria, at 3 PM.

So we concluded to take the 1 oclock Boat, & look around the City a little. We then went to Mr Tafts, at the Patent Office. we then went through there, From there we went to the Smithsonian Institute. There we had a splendid time, I was very sorry that you had not visited there. At 1 PM we took the Boat for Alexandria, & had a very pleasant trip across the River. At 3,15 PM, we took the Cars, & arr at the Mills about 5 PM. We arrived in Camp about 6,45 PM, walking all the way.

Things are all right in Camp. On Monday next, we have got to move our Camp, over by the Mass Battery. You know where we saw the Brass Pieces. The Col, thinks it is healthier down there. In the City today, Capt Perry, told us, that it was reported, that Brig Genl Hays, had Marching Orders for Louisiana & he thought the Brigade would go with him. The Chaplain says there is nothing in this that we have only got to move a short distance.

May 30th 5 AM. I have just had a good nights rest, & feel a little better. Byron & Albert, have got to go on Picket today, The boys are all well, but very tired. We are to be paid off, next Tuesday, so we are in plenty of time. My visit to the City has done me a great deal of good, I am very glad you came down here, both on my account & yours. I met Dr Vosburg in Alexandria, last night, on his way to the City. Mr Millard did not charge me anything for Board, they invited me to come there & stay, when ever I came to the City.

Hoping you will return home all safe, & will soon recover from your Trip. Love to all

Manley