The Shedd opened on May 30, 1930. It was one of the first inland aquariums in the world — and that created a problem.
How do you fill an aquarium with sea water when you're a thousand miles from the ocean?
You build a train.
Chicago had a custom railroad car called the Nautilus — built by Pullman for $30,000, fitted with tanks, pumps, and refrigeration. It made trips to Key West, Florida, hauling seawater in 20 tank cars. One million gallons for opening day.
John G. Shedd donated $3 million — about $56 million today. He never saw his aquarium open. He died in 1926, four years before the doors opened. His widow cut the ribbon.
— From the tour: Landfill of Dreams
