RAILROADING IN ANOKA COUNTY: 1857 – 1995

The 19th century American industrial revolution dynamically changed our society. We moved from an agrarian way of life to an agrarian/manufacturing combination. British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli captured this upheaval when he said, “In a progressive country change is constant, change is inevitable.” This article is about one of the catalysts that contributed and stimulated revolutionary changes in Anoka County in the 19th century.

Herald Columns, feature storiesAnoka County Historical SocietyJanuary 26, 2022Anoka County Historical Societyrailroads, Zielin, Anoka, trolley, james j hill, northern pacific, great norther

The bridges of Anoka County: Romance of the road only

Understanding that bridges provide a key link in our highway system is critical to a full historical perspective of our transportation system. By definition, a bridge is a link between two separate sections of road. Our earliest examples of this are logs placed diagonally across a break in the road/trail, like would have occurred along the Red River Ox Trail, which ran through Anoka County between St. Paul and Pembina in the mid-1800s.

Herald ColumnsAnoka County Historical SocietyOctober 22, 2020bridges, chuck zielin, mississippi, rum river, ox cart trail, roads, railroads

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