Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway Co. - 1891 dated Railroad Stock Certificate

Railroad Stock printed by American Bank Note Company, Philadelphia. Locomotive engine vignette in upper right corner.

The Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad, often referred to as the Pan Handle Route (later known as the Panhandle Route), was an integral part of the Pennsylvania Railroad system. The name derived from its primary line, which originated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, traversed the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia, and extended westward to Bradford, Ohio. At this junction, the line diverged into two branches: one heading north towards Chicago and the other proceeding south through Indianapolis, Indiana, ultimately reaching East St. Louis, Illinois.

The Steubenville and Indiana Railroad was established on February 24, 1848, in Ohio, with the objective of constructing a route westward from the Ohio River at Steubenville to the Indiana state line, situated between Willshire and Fort Recovery, passing through Mt. Vernon. On March 12, 1849, the railroad received authorization to construct a bridge at Steubenville and to create a branch line to Columbus.

The initial segment of the railroad was inaugurated on December 22, 1853, extending from Steubenville to Unionport. Subsequently, on February 2, 1854, an extension from Unionport to Cadiz Junction was opened, followed by the branch to Cadiz on June 12. Additional extensions from Cadiz Junction were completed, reaching Masterville on June 22, Bowerston on July 12, and finally, on April 11, 1855, the line was fully extended to Newark. However, at that time, it did not connect with any other railroads in Newark.