Ephemeral separately issued antique Minnesota Iron Range promotional railway map, issued by the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault ["SOO"] Ste. Marie Railroad.
The map focuses on northern Minnesota between Lake Superior, Mille Lacs Lake, and Leech Lake, with an inset map of the whole "SOO" System stretching from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, to Ambrose, North Dakota.
The map poster was clearly intended to be hung in public to promote settlement along the new railway lines; the text below reads: "SPLENDID OPPORTUNITIES | FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BUSINESS IN VARIOUS LINES IN THE NEW SOO TOWNS | LOCATED UPON THE NEW SOO LINES | IN MINNESOTA. | Stores, Banks, Hotels, Timber Dealers, Livery Stables, Blacksmiths, Saw Mills, Etc. | 200 MILES OF MODERN RAILWAY | Traversing the richest part of the State; abundant natural advantages and resources. Get in on the | ground floor and get located in a live new town and prosper with the development of the country. | 5000 MILES OF BUSY RAILROAD | 100 Progressive and Prosperous New Towns in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. | FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ADDRESS | C. A. CAMPBELL, Townsite Agent, "Soo" Line, Minneapolis, Minn."
The "Soo" line was so-called because of the phonetic spelling of "Sault" in "Sault Ste. Marie". The Soo Line purchased the Cuyuna Iron Range Rly. in 1910, around the time this promotional map was made.