Railroads were economically and socially important in South Dakota. They furthered new settlement, population growth, and community prosperity by recruiting homesteaders and platting townsites. Trains provided passenger traffic, transported farmers' goods, and carried mail and newspapers. Depots were shipping, receiving, and telegraph centers. Railroads created jobs and attracted manufacturers to towns.
Rail lines reached the state in the 1870s and soon overtook river and overland wagon routes as the primary means of transportation. Initially, lines were concentrated on the rich agricultural region east of the Missouri River before moving west in the early 20th century. The Chicago and North Western (C&NW) and Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul companies controlled 73% of South Dakota's rail lines by 1900.
Automobiles eclipsed railroads in importance after WWII leaving most tracks abandoned by 1980. The South Dakota Rail Authority was created to prevent further abandonment. The Burlington Northern bought the Milwaukee main line. The Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern (DM&E) Railroad Company purchased the C&NW line. Traffic on the state's railroad system continues under stewardship of both railroads.
Sponsored by the South Dakota State Historical Society, a Preserve America grant, and the Dakota, Minnesota
and Eastern Railroad Corporation.
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