Abraham Lincoln in Council Bluffs

Join us was we explore Abraham Lincoln’s time as a railroad lawyer and his connection to local Council Bluffs history! In 2025, Union Pacific unveiled their new Heritage Locomotive No.1616 in honor of Abraham Lincoln and his role in signing the Pacific Railway Act in 1862 which created Union Pacific.  Even before signing the act, Lincoln had an extensive connection to the railroad. As a lawyer, Lincoln often represented railroads and participated in a landmark legal case involving railroad bridges. Then, in 1859 Lincoln came to Council Bluffs and had a meeting that changed the course of railroad history. 

This presentation is provided by in Zachary Rady in a collaboration with the Union Pacific Railroad Museum and the Council Bluffs Public Library. Free and open to the public.