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Description

Promoting The Red River Valley -- The Most Reliable and Consequently The Most Valuable Grain Production Section of the Globe

Rare folding timetable map of the Red River Valley Line through the Park Region to the New Northwest.

The map covers most of Minnesota, eastern Dakota Territory, and southern Manitoba, along with a large part of Wisconsin and northern Iowa. Lines are highlighted in red along with the words “Red River Valley” across the Minnesota/Dakota border.   Includes an inset map at lower left shows a somewhat larger area, extending to include Wisconsin and parts of other adjoining states.  Text on verso includes considerable information about Minnesota and Dakota, along with rates and schedules.

St. Louis, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway

The St. Louis, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway, also known as the "Manitoba Road," was formed in the late 19th century as a way to connect the city of St. Louis, Missouri with the far-reaching areas of Minnesota and Manitoba in Canada. The Manitoba Road was created in 1881 through the merger of several smaller railroad companies, including the St. Louis, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railroad and the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad. The company's main line stretched from St. Louis to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, with branches extending into Manitoba, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

In the 1880s, the Manitoba Road began operating in the Red River Valley, a rich agricultural region located in the eastern part of North Dakota and western part of Minnesota. The Red River Valley was home to a large number of farmers and ranchers, who relied on the Manitoba Road to transport their crops and livestock to markets in the Twin Cities and beyond.

In 1885, the company was forced into receivership and was eventually purchased by James J. Hill, a prominent railroad magnate known as the "Empire Builder." Under Hill's leadership, the Manitoba Road underwent significant expansion and modernization, including the construction of new track and the acquisition of newer, more efficient locomotives.

In the early 20th century, the Manitoba Road played a crucial role in the development of the Red River Valley, serving as a vital transportation link for farmers, ranchers, and other businesses. It also played a key role in the settlement of the Dakotas and Manitoba, as it provided access to markets and new opportunities for immigrants seeking to start a new life on the Great Plains.

In the 1920s, the Manitoba Road merged with several other railroads to form the Great Northern Railway, which operated throughout the upper Midwest and western United States. The Manitoba Road's legacy lives on today through the Great Northern's successor, the BNSF Railway, which continues to serve the same region.

Overall, the St. Louis, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway played a significant role in the development and growth of the Red River Valley and the upper Midwest region, and it remains an important part of the region's transportation history.

Rarity

OCLC locates examples at the University of Alberta, University of Manitoba, University of Toronto, Yale and North Dakota State Historical Society.