The Northern Pacific Railroad Considers a New Aberdeen Depot
After hosting railroad officials for a dinner at the Pacific Hotel, Aberdeen boosters feel confident about the city's future rail expansion.
Assistant General Freight Agent S. G. Fulton, under instructions from headquarters to carefully inspect the Grays Harbor country and to report upon the advisability of extending the road on the north side of the Harbor, arrived Wednesday, accompanied by Assistant Engineer McHenry and General Agent Chandler. The party was received by Messrs. Benn, Weatherwax, Geo. D. Allen, D. Allen and W. B. Mack, who assisted them in their inspection. In the evening a dinner was provided for the guests at the Pacific hotel, and one that did great credit to Landlord Lowry's head and heart. The substance of what Mr. Fulton's report will be can be gathered from the following statement: 'There is no use looking too far into the future to see what the freight business will be. It is sufficient that there is enough business now, at this time, to warrant the extension of the road into Aberdeen on the north side.'
“There is no use looking too far into the future to see what the freight business will be. It is sufficient that there is enough business now, at this time, to warrant the extension of the road into Aberdeen.”
Railroad infrastructure defined the economic geography of Pacific Northwest timber towns in the 1890s. The struggle to secure consistent freight access and reliable rail service remains a rhythmic echo of modern debates over port expansion and transport logistics in Grays Harbor today.
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