Fairfield, IL

History

The first depot at Fairfield owned by the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad burnt and was replaced with a brick structure.

Eventually a second railroad crossed the B & O south of the town. The rail started as an idea in 1837 between New Albany, IN and Alton, IL. In 1869, Indiana charted the New Albany & St. Louis Railroad Company. Illinois then charted the St. Louis, Mt. Carmel & New Albany Railroad Company. In July, 1870, these were joined under the name: New Albany & St. Louis Railroad Company. The project faltered until February, 1879, when a reorganization spurred the completion of the railway system. Partered with the Louisville & Nashville railroad at Mt. Vernon, IL. This combination transitioned to the Southern Railroad and trains still run through Fairfield under the Norfolk Southern flag.

American Railroad Journal, Volume 45, 1872

History of Wayne and Clay Counties Illinois, Globe Publishing Co, 183 Lake Street, Chicago, IL, 1884, p 185.

Biographical and Historical Souvenir for the Counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana, Chicago Printing Company, 1889, p. 140.