Railroads were granted large tracts of land in exchange for building the railroad across America. Booklets and maps of the area were created to help sell the land.

In addition to extensive information about the counties that the Saint Paul and Duluth line went through there are testimonials from residents who live along this train route.

Click on the booklet cover to open a pdf of the booklet.
Click on the photos of the depot to the right to watch a video of the depot.
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Railroads also were looking for investors who might buy large tracts of land to develop or who might help set up a town. One way to promote this was by offering investor excursions. A group of possible investors was taken on a trip to see the land they were considering investing in. Since these excursions often took place ahead of the train they were not for the faint hearted. In 1869, a group traveled along the route from St. Paul to Duluth. A journalist, John Trowbridge traveled with the group and chronicled the trip.

Click on the booklet to open a pdf.