The Great Northern's First Departure
Seattle celebrates as the first through passenger train to St. Paul departs Marion Street, marking a new era of transcontinental connection.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The first through passenger train to run over the Great Northern railroad from Seattle to St. Paul left the depot at the foot of Marion Street at 8:15 o'clock yesterday morning. The train was well loaded with passengers, including local dignitaries. Despite minor initial issues with engine steaming and coal quality, the train is expected to maintain its sixty-nine-hour schedule. This milestone represents a significant shift in regional power, as the Northern lines now claim 40 percent of transcontinental traffic, allowing them to compete directly with Southern lines in rate-setting. The crew consists of newcomers to the state, and the rail line is seen as a vital economic lifeline for Seattle.
“The first through passenger train... left the depot, at the foot of Marion street... amid the cheers of the onlooking crowd.”
This train service marked the final integration of the Pacific Northwest into the national economy via rail. The site of the Marion Street depot is now part of the bustling waterfront and ferry terminal area, reflecting a shift from rail-centric expansion to the modern maritime and transit hub Seattle has become.
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