the chicago, burlington, and quincy railroad (cb&q) was established in the 1850s to rival the galena and chicago union railroad (c&gu). the new railroad was constructed due to growing concern that the cities of batavia and aurora would have an economic downfall since the c&gu bypassed both settlements. the railroad station in batavia was the first constructed by the cb&q, and as such, the company took extra care to make it stand out architecturally.