November 2025: Jackson in 1882 — A Railroad That Never Was

Photo: "Jackson in 1882 — The first plan of the C.M. & St. P. Ry. before the railroad was built through Jackson, Minn.” From the Marion Wallace Collection, Fort Belmont.

This 1882 plan of Jackson, Minnesota, shows an early vision for a north–south railroad line running through the heart of town — along what we know today as Fourth Street.

For years, local leaders and residents worked tirelessly to bring a new line through Jackson. The idea of a north–south connection promised growth, prosperity, and easier trade with nearby towns. Their determination eventually led to the formation of the Jackson Southern Railway Company, organized under a newly obtained charter to make the dream a reality.

The plan was ambitious. The company even intended to establish a new station in Middletown and build a small settlement there. In 1895 and 1896, workers completed grading for five miles of track south of Jackson, and tracklaying had begun — a visible sign of progress for a hopeful community.

Then, just as quickly as it began, the project stalled. Financial difficulties brought the Jackson Southern’s efforts to a halt, and the line was never completed. The dream of a north–south railway through Jackson faded into history, leaving behind this illustration as one of the few reminders of what might have been.

Sources

• Image and notes from the Marion Wallace Collection, Fort Belmont

• Local historical references from Jackson County archives