Norris City, IL

History

Norris City was known as Norris in the early days of the railroad. A depot was constructed and in operation by the Springfield and Illinois Southeastern Railroad by September, 1871.

The New York Central Railroad crossed the B & O rail at two different locations over the years. The first was just south of the B & O depot. The second intersection was further south on Industrial Road.

An article by Duane Carrell titled B & O's Springfield Sub-Division in the B & O Historical Society's Sentinel Magazine, issue 2nd Qtr 2015, details the B & O's assistance with the War Emergency Pipeline in Norris City. A wye was installed by the New York Central Railway that connected the two tracks. Locomotives could turnaround and pull forward to the oil terminal. Railroads at War by S. Kip Farrington, Jr, provides detail of the War Emergency pipeline facility operations. Norris City helped alleviate an oil shortage on the east coast and enabled the United States to provide fuel for the war effort in Europe since German submarines had made it difficult to transport cargo from the Gulf of Mexico to the east coast. The pipeline is still in operation at the Norris City terminal.

A coal mine was located on the northern edge of Norris City and the village had a post office.

B & O Sentinel Magazine, 2nd quarter 2015

History of White County, Illinois, Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois. 1883, p 528

Norris City History File, Norris City Library