I have been under the impression that it was patterned after and animal pelt. Look at the emblem and you can see the bottom sides would be hind legs with the point in the center bottom being the tail. The two top side points would be front legs. I know this seems a rather strange explanation but I have heard this from several sources. The Frisco's emblem was created the same way.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AFN: I have been under the impression that it was patterned after and animal pelt. Look at the emblem and you can see the bottom sides would be hind legs with the point in the center bottom being the tail. The two top side points would be front legs. I know this seems a rather strange explanation but I have heard this from several sources. The Frisco's emblem was created the same way.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Hi, Arnold: We've both heard the same story and I, too, believe it to be correct. In fact, if only the coffee would kick in, I could probably find this explanation in a book somewhere around here. I think it specifically was likened to a beaver pelt; with all the waterways the Rock Island followed westward from its origin, it makes sense. Jeff
I think you guys may have the RI herald confused with the Frisco "coon-skin". If the Rock's shield is an animal pelt, it sure is a big strech of the imagination to me. But that doesn't mean your wrong. ------------------ RAILROADING-TO-THE-MAX, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Style! Brent Tidaback, Member #234
Digging up another old post I just saw this old post and wanted to add to it. I understand this to be true, per my Mother in Law who worked for Rock Island for many years, and retiring from the Rock shortly before it went under. Her story is, that the Original Rock Island sign outside one of the first office/depots back in the 1800s, the name "Rock Island" was hand painted on a stretched out raccoon pelt. I questioned the "raccoon" part, and asked if she wasn't sure it was a from a "beaver". She said, she was not sure, but had always heard within the Rock Island that it was a Raccoon. But anyway, later, the logo was a geometric representation of the original raccoon pelt the name was painted on. So, yes, I also believe it to be true, comming from a long time Rock Island employee, and hearing that for years within the Rock. As far as Friscos logo, not sure about it's origins, but contrary to the above post, I think the RI's geometric representation of a pelt looks more like an actual pelt than Frisco's similar logo.
I had heard that it was a buffalo hide, but never was sure if it was true. Beaver or Raccoon pelt sound more likely.
A Turtle I did a little research on the herald and it points to being an old Indian sign of a turtle. The point was a tail and a turtle's tail is pointed. The legs do have a look of a turtle because they were big and the top half would be its hard shell. It does resemble more of a turtle.
Buffalo hide. I think it was in the 70th anniversary history (1922, reprinted in the 1970s and again a few years back) where it was said a buffalo hide was tacked onto the side of a depot to dry out. Someone saw it hanging and painted the words, "Great Rock Island Route" on it. JLH
hi. if i were to lay it out say on autocad, what are the correct dimensions and angles? every time i see a picture, someones concept is a little different. cjs
If you can make it to Limon, or even Denver or Co. Springs Union Stations you can probably still find an official herald to measure.
WELL THANKS I GUESS. LIMON MAYBE BUT AS I REMEMBER THE ONE AT UNION STATION WHICH IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION IS WAY HIGH UP. I WAS HOPING SOMEONE HAD IT DIGITIZED. THANKS FOR THE IDEA. IT MIGHT HAVE TO BE THAT WAY TO GET IT.
