Downtown in Fargo in Cass County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Fargo & Southern Railroad
June 24, 2026
1. Fargo & Southern Railroad Marker
Construction of the line began in 1883, and on the evening of July 2, 1884 the first official Fargo and Southern train ran the track.
Within a few months, the railroad was running two passenger trains daily and had built a brick depot at Second Avenue and 11th Street north. They also built a freight depot two blocks west at 13th street.
The railroad was short-lived, however. Bowing to financial pressures, H.E. Sargent, President of the Fargo and Southern (who lived in Chicago) sold the line to the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad (later known as the Milwaukee Road). The last passenger-only train left the depot on December 7, 1931. The railroad continued mixed operations (passenger and freight) until October 31, 1956, when all passenger service was stopped.
Information provided by: www.fargo-history.com
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1884.
Location. 46° 52.559′ N, 96° 47.249′ W. Marker is in Fargo, North Dakota, in Cass County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Northern Pacific Avenue and Broadway North, on the right when traveling west on Northern Pacific Avenue. The marker is located along the sidewalk near the northeast corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 51 Broadway N, Fargo ND 58102, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Dakota’s Red River Valley. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally,
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Great Northern Railway (a few steps from this marker); Northern Pacific Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Fargo & Moorhead Streetcar Railway (within shouting distance of this marker); City Hall & Library (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Machinery Row (about 300 feet away); Red River Valley Crops (about 300 feet away); NDSU Agriculture (about 400 feet away); Bonanza Farms (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fargo.
Also see . . . Fargo and Southern Railroad | Fargo History. Excerpt:
Just as the Northern pacific established Fargo, so did the Fargo and Southern establish Abercrombie and Wheaton in 1884. In fact, Wheaton was named in honor of Daniel Thomas Wheaton, the civil engineer and county surveyor who did the original plat work for the Fargo and Southern Railroad.(Submitted on July 17, 2026.)
June 24, 2026
2. Fargo & Southern Railroad Marker
This design is on the other three sides of the marker.
June 24, 2026
3. Fargo & Southern Railroad Marker
Looking southwest; Broadway and Northern Pacific Avenue intersection is in the background.
June 24, 2026
4. Fargo & Southern Railroad Sidewalk Tile Design
Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2026. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 17, 2026.
