Transportation in Mankato

1852-1900

Mankato depended heavily on the steamboats that arrived on the Minnesota River from St. Paul during its early years. As more roads were built between Mankato and other cities, stagecoaches and wagon travel became common. The railroad first came through Mankato in 1868. The ease of travel to Mankato by way of the river, roads, and rails helped to build Mankato into the urban center of Southern Minnesota

Steamboats

Steamboats were Mankato's first transportation system. In fact, they were Mankato's only transportation system for many years. There were no roads through the miles of woods between Mankato and St. Paul, or between Mankato and any other city. Anyone venturing through the woods could easily get lost or be attacked by hostile Indians, so for the first part of Mankato's history, steamboats were the most reliable method of transportation. They brought settlers and supplies to the new town. Many passengers who were continuing on to other destinations would stop and visit Mankato on the way. Soon, Mankato was the last outpost of civilization for settlers who were venturing out into the unsettled lands of the Upper Minnesota River Valley and the prairie lands of what would become South Dakota. As more roads were built through the wilderness, river boat activity began to decline. It had served its purpose though. Mankato was now a center of activity in southern Minnesota.

Roads

In 1853, the first road was built connecting Mankato and St. Paul. It was only a crude military road but it served as a passageway for settlers in wagons drawn by oxen. Another road was built between Mankato and Read's Landing which is located on the shore of Lake Pepin. Soon stagecoaches were running on these roads, providing more dependable mail and passenger service than the river boats could.

Stagecoaches

The first stagecoach in Mankato was run by George H. Marsh, who picked up the mail from Fort Snelling each week. Soon other stagecoaches were set up and relay stations were established. The trip from Mankato to St. Paul now took only a day.

Street Cars

The Mankato Street Railway System ran from 1886 to 1895. Horse-drawn street cars provided service to a limited area of town. In 1895, the system proved unprofitable and the lines stopped running

People waiting to board a street car near the turn of the century.

Railroads

The first railroad arrived in Mankato on October 3, 1868. The train had only freight cars as the roadbed was not yet level enough for passenger services. The proper adjustments were made and passenger service began on October 12. By this time, trains were arriving and departing twice a day. Railroads meant new and less expensive methods of transporting people and goods, both in and out of Mankato. The city grew even faster.

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