Charlotte, the Illinois Central ran North-South thru Panola. It was chartered in 1851 to run from Cairo to Galena. The line was finished in 1856. The Toledo, Peoria and Western ran East-West thru El Paso 3 miles south of Panola. It was chartered in 1852 to run from Peoria to the Ill-Ind State Line. It's original name was the Peoria & Oquawka Eastern Extension Railroad. It was completed in 1860. Mike Flock's wrote: > > Hi, > Could any one tell me when the railroad was built south of Panola. I'm > trying > to track down a ancestor who was working on the railroad. His name is > John Miller b. abt 1831 Prussia. > > Charlotte