Transportation on Washington Avenue

Transportation on Washington Avenue. . , [Caption:] Looking northwest along Washington Avenue, circa 1920, During Washington Avenue's development, it has been most impacted by commerce via three modes of transportation on the central riverfront: Rapids (water), Reins (animal-powered) and Rails (train)., Commerce by rapids transitioned from oar-driven canoes to oar-driven keelboats and swifter steamboats to tug or tow-driven barges carrying heavy or bulky raw materials such as coal, timber, iron ore and other minerals., Commerce by reins transitioned from travel on foot to horse-drawn coaches and wagons for short-haul transportation. Oxcart trains and dog sleds provided long-distance transportation. Oxen could travel only during the months when there was plenty of prairie grass to eat while dog sleds served in the wintertime., Commerce by rails occurred during three phases: the initial growth of Saint Anthony and Minneapolis (1850-1880); expansion with the growth of industries, businesses and population (1880-1930); and deterioration as the role of the railroads was superseded by motor vehicles and river barges (1931-present)., Today, only a few vestiges of the riverfront transportation systems remain: the Milwaukee Road Depot, the Stone Arch Bridge (both built by developer and entrepreneur James J. Hill and the remnants of the railroad at Mill Ruins Park., Image Source: Minnesota Historical Society, Looking northwest along Washington Avenue past railroad yards and Milwaukee Depot, Minneapolis. Photographer: Charles P. Gibson. Photograph Collection ca. 1920. Text Sources: http://www.mnhs.org/places/safhb/history_research.shtml (Rapids, Reins, Rails: Transportation on the Minneapolis Riverfront).