1880
The first railroad through the community was called the Minneapolis Branch of the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba Railroad , later the Great Northern Railroad Company. In 1880 a flag station was established, merely a designated spot and if you wished a ride, you would “flag” the train. A depot was built about 1887. It was called Parker Station in honor of Mr. Alfred Parker who donated three acres of land for its site. When the depot was built, Mrs. H. W. Downs (above) was depot master. In 1888 double tracks were laid so trains could pass each way. On November 14, 1888, a telegraph office was installed and by 1893 Great Northern trains went all the way to the West Coast.
Joseph “Ed” Riddell was telegrapher from 1927 to 1947. A larger station was built in 1948 with a freight house to serve the lumber yards. The depot was torn down in 1967 after the railroad discontinued its use as a freight station.
This post is part of a series based on the book Robbinsdale Then and Now by Helen Blodgett
Mrs. Downs, the station master (mistress) seems not to have read the Great Northern’s rules for employees. Walking or stepping on tracks is a major violation of rules.
Thanks for posting this photo – love photos of Great Northern depots.