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Minnesota Junction, Wisconsin facts for kids

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Minnesota Junction, Wisconsin
Looking south in Minnesota Junction on WIS 26
Looking south in Minnesota Junction on WIS 26
Minnesota Junction, Wisconsin is located in Wisconsin
Minnesota Junction, Wisconsin
Minnesota Junction, Wisconsin
Location in Wisconsin
Minnesota Junction, Wisconsin is located in the United States
Minnesota Junction, Wisconsin
Minnesota Junction, Wisconsin
Location in the United States
Country  United States
State  Wisconsin
County Dodge
Town Oak Grove
Elevation
282 m (925 ft)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s) 920
GNIS feature ID 1569566
Minnesota Junction Wisconsin looking north on WIS 26
Minnesota Junction sign

Minnesota Junction is a small place in Wisconsin, United States. It's not a city or a village with its own government. Instead, it's called an unincorporated community. This means it's part of a larger area, the town of Oak Grove. Minnesota Junction is found in Dodge County. You can find it along Wisconsin Highway 26. It sits about 925 feet (282 meters) above sea level.

A Look Back at Minnesota Junction

How Minnesota Junction Started

Minnesota Junction began because of the railroad. When train tracks were built to this spot, a community started to grow around them. People hoped that the new railroad line would keep going. They thought it would eventually reach the Minnesota Territory. That's how this place got its name, "Minnesota Junction."

The Old Post Office

A post office opened in Minnesota Junction in 1861. This was a place where people could send and receive mail. It served the community for many years. However, the post office closed down in 1940.

Where Railroads Met

Minnesota Junction was a very important spot for trains. It had a special kind of meeting point called a diamond crossing. This is where two different railroad lines crossed each other. One line ran from north to south. It belonged to the Chicago and North Western Railway. The other line ran from east to west. This one was part of the Milwaukee Road.

Changes to the Tracks

Over time, things changed for the railroads. The north-south train line was no longer used after 1984. It was abandoned. Now, that old track has been turned into a rail trail. This is a path where people can walk or bike. The east-west line, however, is still active today. It is now used by the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad.

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