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Story Name
Railroad
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Valuation Section(s)
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South/West Terminal
North/East Terminal
Description
CNW line from Eagle Grove to Iroquois, via Hawarden, Iowa
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<p>In 1881, the Toledo & Northwestern Railway (T&NW) began construction on a 145-mile railroad line extending from Eagle Grove, Iowa to Hawarden, Iowa. In 1883, the Dakota Central Railway (DC) continued the line, constructing an additional 125 miles between Hawarden and Iroquois, South Dakota. The T&NW became part of the Chicago & North Western Railway (C&NW) in 1890, and the DC became part of the C&NW in 1902. The C&NW operated a large amount of railroad throughout the Midwest, particularly in Iowa. This line served as a connection between major routes in Iowa, and the Dakota Division mainline at Iroquois. Because this line became a branch line, service on the line dwindled. The first segment abandoned was from Orange City to Hawarden in 1975. The Beresford to Iroqouis segment was abandoned in 1979, and the Hawarden too Beresford segment sold to the State of South Dakota in 1980, and the Marathon to Orange City segment abandoned the same year. The D&I Railroad began operations over the Beresford Branch in 1980. The line was further abandoned in 1982, when the Alton to Orange City segment was abandoned. The Rolfe to Eagle Grove segment was abandoned in 1988, and would later be converted to the Three Rivers Trail. In 1995, the C&NW would be purchased by the Union Pacific Railroad. Currently, Union Pacific Railroad operates the Rolfe to Marathon segment as part of the Laurens Subdivision, and the D&I operates the Beresford to Hawarden segment. The Rolfe to Eagle grove segment is part of a trail, and the remainder has been abandoned.<br></p>
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