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The original Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad was incorporated in 1863 and began building the first railroad linking the Twin Cities and Duluth. The last spike was driven near Thompson on August first, 1870, with the rail line extending from Carlton through Thompson and basically following the St. Louis River through Fond du Lac, Morgan Park, West Duluth and into downtown Duluth. The first passenger trains between the two Cites began operation in September
1870.
The Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad existed until 1877, when it was purchased by the St, Paul and Duluth and later absorbed into the Northern Pacific System. The railroad was later relocated to eliminate a number of curves and ease the grade between West Duluth and Carlton. The new line split from the original route near the location of the present Lake Superior Zoo. However the original line continued in service as the Northern Pacific Railroad provided commuter train service to Fond du Lac until the 1930's.
The present Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad was incorporated in 1981 by a group of volunteers from the Lake Superior Transportation Club, taking the name of Duluth's first railroad and using a portion of the original track along the scenic St. Louis River.
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