[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE HISTORY OF THE MAD RIVER AND LAKE ERIE RAILROAD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM JORDAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 2, 2009

  Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I am honored to commend to the 
House the work of the Champaign County Bicentennial Historical Marker 
Committee and the West Central Ohio Port Authority to promote the 
history of the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad.
  The Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad was chartered by the State of 
Ohio in 1832, making it both the first chartered railroad in Ohio and 
the first to be built west of the Allegheny Mountains. Groundbreaking 
ceremonies took place in 1835 in Sandusky, attended by General William 
Henry Harrison (the first of eight Presidents to hail from the Buckeye 
State) and Ohio Governor Joseph Vance.
  By 1848, more than 130 miles of track were completed from Sandusky to 
Springfield at a cost of roughly $1.75 million. Urbana resident John H. 
James, who served as treasurer of the railroad, was instrumental in 
securing lines of credit to fund rail construction and early operations 
of the line.
  The rail line was eventually expanded to tie in with the Little Miami 
Railroad, allowing for continuous rail service from Lake Erie to the 
Ohio River through western Ohio.
  After numerous mergers, the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad 
ultimately became part of Conrail, which has since been divided between 
the Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX Transportation. The West Central 
Ohio Port Authority acquired portions of the old Mad River track in 
1994 to ensure continued freight rail service between Bellefontaine and 
Springfield.
  On June 6, two historical markers celebrating the history of the line 
will be dedicated in Urbana. I am honored to join the Champaign County 
Bicentennial Historical Marker Committee, the West Central Ohio Port 
Authority, and Bellevue's Mad River and Lake Erie Museum in 
commemorating this event.

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