Bloomington, Pontiac, & Joliet Interurban Railroad

Story Behind the Mural

The Bloomington, Pontiac, & Joliet Interurban Railroad, known locally as the BP&J, was originally designed to connect to the Illinois Interurban Railway at Bloomington and Joliet. Due to increasing competition from automobiles and trucks, plus the development of the state highway system, the BP&J only connected Pontiac, Odell, and Dwight, and it operated from 1905 to 1925. 

The notorious rough ride on the interurban led locals to affectionately refer to the line as the Bump, Push & Jerk. 

Learn More about the BP&J at our local history pages.

Artist

The mural design comes from Rob Estes of Brushstroke Signs in Paducah, KY.  

Location

300 Block of North Main Street

GPS - Latitude 40.880520; Longitude: -88.630302
The BP&J Railroad mural on Main Street.