The Hook and Eye: A History of the Iowa Central Railway

Fearing the rapacious power of Chicago’s railroad system in the mid-1900s, Iowa Central Railway supporters fought for a north-south route across the state that would link Minneapolis and St. Paul with St. Louis. Such a route would put the needs of Iowa’s citizens first and provide transportation for the state’s agricultural and industrial trade. Analyzing the origins, growth, and eventual dismantling of the Iowa Central Railway, which traversed the state from Ackley to Zearing and Mason City to Marshalltown, Don Hofsommer examines how this unremarkable, "plain vanilla” railway was an example of the life cycle of the American railroad industry. The Hook & Eye demonstrates its symbiotic relationship with its customers. Born in ambition but never rising far above its obscure origins, the Iowa Central eventually fell to outside competition from railroads based in greater metropolitan areas and was made part of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway in 1912. Drawing the story from station records, annual reports, newspaper articles, and interviews with former employees, The Hook & Eye brings both the industry and human sides of railroading into sharp and memorable view. Don L. Hofsommer is a native Iowan and professor of history at St. Cloud State University. Analyzing The Origins, Growth, And Eventual Dismantling Of The Iowa Central Railway, Which Traversed The State From Ackley To Zearing And Mason City To Marshalltown, Don Hofsommer Examines How This Unremarkable, Plain Vanilla Railway Was An Example Of The Life Cycle Of The American Railroad Industry. The Hook & Eye Had A Close, Interdependent Relationship With Its Customers. Born In Ambition But Never Rising Far Above Its Obscure Origins, The Iowa Central Eventually Fell To Outside Competition From Railroads Based In Greater Metropolitan Areas And Was Made Part Of The Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway In 1912. Drawing The Story From Station Records, Annual Reports, Newspaper Articles, And Interviews With Former Employees, The Hook & Eye Brings Both The Industrial And Human Side Of Railroading Into Sharp And Memorable View.--jacket. Urban Mercantilism -- Iowa Central Railroad -- Eldora Railroad & Coal Company -- Iowa River Railway -- Central Railroad Company Of Iowa -- The Tangled Ways Of Finance -- The Hook & Eye -- Iowa Central Railway -- Enter The Twentieth Century. Don L. Hofsommer. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 129-145) And Index. Contents......Page 10 Preface......Page 12 Acronyms and Shortened Names......Page 14 1. Urban Mercantilism......Page 16 2. Iowa Central Railroad: Great Plans, Grand Failure......Page 20 3. Eldora Railroad & Coal Company......Page 30 4. Iowa River Railway......Page 38 5. Central Railroad Company of Iowa......Page 43 6. The Tangled Ways of Finance......Page 55 7.The Hook & Eye......Page 66 8. Iowa Central Railway......Page 89 9. Enter the Twentieth Century......Page 103 Epilogue......Page 137 Notes......Page 144 Bibliography......Page 154 C......Page 162 G......Page 163 M......Page 164 P......Page 165 Z......Page 166