In 1896, the first inter-urban trolley – operating under the Elgin, Aurora, and Southern Traction Company – rolled down Main Street in St. Charles; trains connecting Chicago and St. Charles arrived in 1910.

At the 3rd and State streets intersection in Geneva, the Chicago, Aurora and Elgin Railroad (also known as the Great Third Rail) branched off and operated on the Fox River Line.

This provided an essential link between Aurora, Geneva, St. Charles and Elgin. The trolleys traveling north entered St. Charles via 3rd Street, running up and down Main Street several times a day.

The trolley and railroad lines gave people mobility and provided quicker access to neighboring towns. This worked to broaden the job market for St. Charles residents, giving them the ability to take high-paying factory jobs in Elgin and Aurora. This easy and fast mode of transportation also resulted in more leisure time, making idyllic rural towns like St. Charles popular vacation destinations.