The Story of the Punkin Vine: Illinois Central's Rantoul District in Central Illinois

Learn about the history of the "Rantoul Shortline" created by Rantoul attorney Benjamin Gifford and completed in 1879 from West Lebanon, Indiana to LeRoy, Illinois. From its beginnings as a narrow-gauge railroad, to its control by Jay Gould's Wabash Railroad, and later owner Illinois Central, this east/west shortline which once traversed Champaign County has a colorful history that will be presented with dozens of historic images.