The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Claims Tacoma’s Tideflats
Ninety-one acres of waterfront land have been purchased, signaling the long-awaited arrival of a new transcontinental rail competitor.
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Options on 91 acres of tide-flat lands have been taken up and the deeds are being signed today. The property in question includes the Allen C. Mason wharf and the waterfront adjoining. Mr. L. R. Manning, of the real estate firm of L. R. Manning Co., confirmed that the land, which lies east of the Puyallup River and spans 91 acres, was sold by Allen C. Mason. The deeds were made out to J. T. Woodward, a representative of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Although the railroad name was not explicitly in the deed, it is widely understood to be for terminal grounds, signaling that Tacoma’s dream of a second transcontinental railroad is near realization. Local expert Frank Ross notes that this land is perfectly situated for major terminal infrastructure, potentially giving Tacoma a new, more efficient western rail connection.
“This means nothing less than that the dream of Tacoma citizens for another transcontinental railroad is about to be realized.”
This land acquisition marked the beginning of Tacoma's transformation into a major rail hub for the Milwaukee Road. The tideflats described remain central to the Port of Tacoma's industrial operations today, continuing the cycle of regional economic boom dependent on massive waterfront land control.
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