Near Avery in Shoshone County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
The Route of the Hiawatha
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, July 22, 2011
1. Route of the Hiawatha Marker
Looking for the Right Route
In 1905, the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway began looking for a route for their western extension over the Bitterroot Mountains. After five and a half months, exploring 930 miles, the railroad chose a route over St. Paul Pass.
In laying out the route from the St. Paul Pass Tunnel the surveyors planned a line descending at a 1.7% gradient along the mountain slope
A big consideration in choosing this route was the potential for future traffic. This route down the St. Joe River offered exclusive access to huge quantities of old growth white pine and cedar timber.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 47° 22.573′ N, 115° 40.072′ W. Marker is near Avery, Idaho, in Shoshone County. Marker can be reached from Cliff Creek Road (Federal Road 506) 3.7 miles north of Loop Creek Road (Route 326). Located along the Route of the Hiawatha Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Avery ID 83802, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. “Wintering” Roland (here, next to this marker); Beast of the Bitterroots (approx. ¼ mile away); Rough & Tumble Camps (approx. 0.3 miles away); Water Does the Work!
this page online
More about this marker. On top is a "Grade & altitude profile of the Milwaukee Road from Harlowtown, Montana to Tacoma, Washington"
On the right is a photo with the caption, "A stalwart team of Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway surveyors prepare to battle the Bitterrots during the winter of 1907." Photograph from Montana Historical Society
Also see . . . Route of the Hiawatha Rail Trail. (Submitted on August 4, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, July 22, 2011
2. Route of the Hiawatha Marker at Roland
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 538 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 4, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
