Local railroad historian Peter Hansen discusses Lincoln’s role in the rise of American railroads on Wednesday, February 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.

Before there was President Lincoln, there was A. Lincoln, attorney. Before the Midwest could develop, there had to be railroads. Lincoln the lawyer was instrumental in fostering the rise of railroads in this part of the country, which in turn promoted his political career.

Lincoln’s fee in the McLean County railroad case, for example, paid for his 1858 Senate campaign, without which he almost certainly would not have acquired the national stature that propelled him to the presidential nomination two years later.

Hansen is the editor of Railroad History magazine.