Saint Cloud and Red River Valley Stage Road–Kandota Section facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Saint Cloud and Red River Valley Stage Road-Kandota Section
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The road section leading into a forested area
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Off County Highway 92, Kandota Township, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1859 |
| MPS | Overland Staging Industry in Minnesota MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001061 |
| Designated | August 30, 1991 |
The Saint Cloud and Red River Valley Stage Road–Kandota Section is a small part of an old stagecoach road. You can find this preserved section in Kandota Township, Minnesota. This road was once a very important route. It started in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and went all the way to the Red River Valley. This valley is near the borders of Minnesota, North Dakota, and Manitoba in Canada.
This special piece of road is about 250 yards (228 meters) long. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. This means it is an important historical site for the state of Minnesota. It helps us remember how people traveled long ago. It also shows how stagecoach companies helped create the first travel routes across the land in Minnesota.
Contents
What Does the Kandota Road Section Look Like?
This part of the old stagecoach road starts near a curve in Todd County Highway 92. It stretches northwest for about 250 yards (228 meters). After that, the road disappears into a farm field.
The first 50 yards (45 meters) of the road go down a small hill. This part is surrounded by trees. It has small ditches on both sides of the path. The path itself is about 6 feet (1.8 meters) wide. The rest of the road section is flat. It does not have any ditches.
The Story of the Saint Cloud and Red River Valley Stage Road
Why Was This Road Built?
The idea for the Saint Cloud and Red River Valley Stage Road came from an international agreement in 1857. The Hudson's Bay Company from Canada needed a way to get supplies to its outposts. These outposts were located along the Red River of the North. So, they decided to get their supplies from Saint Paul, Minnesota.
The Northwestern Express and Transportation Company won the job to carry these supplies. Later, this company merged and changed its name to the Minnesota Stage Company. They also started carrying mail between St. Cloud and Fort Abercrombie.
Building the Road and Its First Journey
One of the partners in the stagecoach company was Russell Blakely. He led the team that built the road. They started working in June 1859. The crew cut down trees and built bridges. It was hard work! The very first stagecoach was able to travel the whole route on July 4, 1859.
How the Road Helped Minnesota Grow
This road was the first to have regular stagecoach service. It connected the towns in Central Minnesota to the Red River Valley. It also worked with the new steamboat service on the Red River of the North.
The road helped west-central Minnesota grow a lot. New towns were started along its path. This shows how important transportation routes were for developing new areas.
The Road's Success and End of an Era
The Saint Cloud and Red River Valley Stage Road was very successful. By 1863, the stage company even had to ask for more drivers and horse teams.
However, things changed by 1871. The first train line was finished, reaching the Red River Valley. Trains were faster and could carry more. Because of this, traffic on the stagecoach road started to slow down. Some parts of the old stage route were updated and became modern roads. But the Kandota section was no longer used after 1939. It was left as a historical reminder.
Images for kids
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The road section leading into a forested area
