The Canadian Northern Railway
Text from the plaque
Incorporated in 1899 under the leading railway promoters Sir William Mackenzie and Sir Donald Mann, the Canadian Northern undertook construction of a line from Winnipeg to Port Arthur. Avoiding Lake of the Woods, the rail line left Manitoba at Sprague, crossed a small portion of Minnesota, and re-entered Canada at Rainy River. Construction of a rail bridge at Rainy River in 1902 coincided with completion of the railway to Lake Superior. By 1906 the Canadian Northern had acquired rail lines and traffic rights to the east coast, and in 1915 reached Vancouver, thus becoming a transcontinental line. It played a significant role in the development of northwestern Ontario and the Prairies. The line eventually formed part of the Canadian National Railway.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The District of Rainy River
The Town of Rainy River
Beside CNR steam locomotive 4008
at the Travel Information Centre
on the north side of Highway 11
between 4 Street and 5 Street
N 48 43.352 W 94 34.120
Recorded July 2006. Check current access before visiting.
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