Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad facts for kids
The Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad is a name used for two different train lines in Minnesota. One was a very important historic railroad. The other is a fun modern-day train ride.
The First Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad
The original Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad (LS&M) was the first train connection between the Twin Cities and Duluth. It began in 1863. A wealthy businessman named Jay Cooke decided that Duluth would be the northern end of this new railroad.
Lyman Dayton, a local businessman, helped a lot. He spent $10,000 of his own money to survey the land for the tracks. He also served as the railroad's president until he passed away in 1865. After him, Frank Hamilton Clark became president. He was a banker from Philadelphia.
The LS&M railroad was finished in 1870. It ran through the city of Carlton. It also followed the path of the Saint Louis River all the way to Duluth. Later that same year, the first passenger trains started carrying people between the Twin Cities and Duluth.
However, the LS&M faced big money problems during the Panic of 1873. This was a time when many businesses struggled financially. Jay Cooke's company had borrowed too much money. Because of these troubles, the LS&M had to reorganize in 1877. It changed its name to the St. Paul and Duluth Railroad. Later, this railroad became part of the larger Northern Pacific Railway. Parts of the northern line continued to carry passenger trains until the 1930s.
A Modern Train Ride: Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad
The name Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad (LSMRR) was brought back to life in 1981. A group of volunteers called the Lake Superior Transportation Club started a heritage railroad company. Their goal was to offer fun passenger train rides. These rides follow the beautiful Saint Louis River.
Much of the modern LSMRR route uses the same path that the historic LS&M built way back in the 1800s. The LSMRR even won an award! The St. Paul Pioneer Press newspaper called it the "Best Train Ride" on May 18, 2003.
