Council Bluffs, Iowa: Forging America’s rail story
Council Bluffs was once the darling of a planned transcontinental railroad. While neighboring Omaha eventually became the headquarters for Union Pacific Railroad, Council Bluffs was selected as the eastern terminus of the budding rail company.
While UP grew to become a Fortune 500 corporation and Omaha benefitted economically from its location, Council Bluffs spent years in the shadow of its larger Nebraska neighbor.
However, the county seat of Pottawattamie County has become a stronghold in the Metro, with a strong economic base, led by the success of its three major casinos – Harrah’s, Ameristar and Horseshoe – as well as becoming a great place to live.
Council Bluffs’ story begins in the 1850s, with Greenville Dodge traveling along the Missouri River, searching for a location to launch a railroad.
A chance meeting with Abraham Lincoln about a year or so before his election as the 16th President of the United States led to conversations about a transcontinental railroad. Lincoln spent a week in the area delivering speeches, during which time he discussed the railroad idea in-depth with Dodge. It left a lasting impression with both men.
In 1860, Lincoln was elected president. In 1861, Dodge joined the Union army as a colonel. Within two years, he was promoted to brigadier general.
Dodge leads railroad development
In 1863, following passage of the Pacific Railway Act, Lincoln invited Dodge to the White House to discuss ideas for the railroad. Dodge suggested beginning the railroad in Council Bluffs, following a westward route along the Platte River though Nebraska.
Picked to oversee the railroad’s development, Dodge launched Council Bluffs’ role as a key player in the rail industry.
Today, you can explore the city’s rail story at attractions from the Union Pacific Railroad Museum to the General Dodge House.
Union Pacific Railroad Museum
The Union Pacific Railroad Museum takes you on a trip from the company’s early days of laying the first rails for westward expansion to the nostalgia of passenger travel. Sit in a passenger car replica and enjoy traveling from Omaha to the west coast.
The passenger era of 1931-71 includes various dinnerware patterns used in restaurant cars, as well as employees’ uniforms. A 360-degree theater showcases the history of the railroad’s passenger service.
From the world’s largest train yard in North Platte – where individual rail cars are separated and assigned to engines that will deliver them to their final destination – to an interactive engine exhibit, offering the opportunity to drive a train over a mountain pass, the Union Pacific Museum explores the daily responsibilities of operating trains.
The museum also showcases the Council Bluffs hotel where plans were developed to create the rail line connecting the western half of the United States.
Lincoln was assassinated before the completion of the transcontinental railroad. A rail car built for him to travel to Promontory Point was instead retrofitted to carry his casket home to Springfield, Illinois. The train made several stops along the route, as cities hosted memorials to honor Lincoln.
The railroad’s history includes a look at its private police force, which enforced laws along its routes. You’ll find badges worn by officers, as well as weapons.
Rails West Railroad Museum
All aboard an opportunity to explore rail transportation firsthand on a rail car at Rails West Railroad Museum. From a steam engine and passenger car to a postal car, enjoy a hands-on experience at an outdoor exhibit at Council Bluffs’ renovated 1899 depot. You don’t need to be a train enthusiast to enjoy a model train exhibit, as well as a small museum exhibit showcasing several pieces of memorabilia and artifacts.
Historic General Dodge House
A 14-room Victorian-era mansion, the Historic General Dodge House cost $35,000 to build. The three-story Dodge home was built on a bluff, which overlooked the Missouri River valley at the time. Furniture and amenities of the Dodge family can be found inside the mansion.
Golden Spike sculpture
While the actual Golden Spike was hammered into the rail tie at Promontory, Utah, you can see Council Bluffs’ version as a 56-foot-tall sculpture. Built in 1939 to commemorate the movie “Union Pacific,” it recognizes the final spike laid on the railroad, completing the transcontinental railroad.
Council Bluffs may not have become home to Union Pacific’s headquarters, but it did get plenty of shiny toys and attractions to celebrate its rail history. Hop aboard a ride through UP’s history and the role Council Bluffs played in the development of train transportation in the United States.
