Near Avery in Shoshone County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
The Olympian Hiawatha
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 22, 2011
1. The Olympian Hiawatha Marker
On June 29, 1947 the pride of the Milwaukee Road was introduced-- an all new streamlined train called the “Olympian Hiawatha”.
The name “Hiawatha” originated with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “Song of Hiawatha” written in the mid-1800s. The Milwaukee Road chose the name for their fast streamlined passenger trains because of these lines:
Swift of foot was Hiawatha;
He could shoot an arrow from him,
And run forward with such fleetness,
That the arrow fell behind him!
This luxurious and futuristic train was styled by noted industrial designer Brooks Stevens. It consisted of a sweeping cab-style diesel locomotive followed by a mail car, baggage dormitory car, three coaches, a dining car, a tap-lounge-grill, a “Touralux” sleeping car, a roomette car and the “Sky Top Lounge” car.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1908.
Location. 47° 20.653′ N, 115° 37.837′ W. Marker is near Avery, Idaho, in Shoshone County.
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Regionally, this marker is in North Idaho — Idaho’s Panhandle. It is also in the American Mountain West and specifically in the Pacific Northwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Olympian Luxury (a few steps from this marker); The Big Blowup (approx. ¼ mile away); The Mighty Quills (approx. ¼ mile away); The 1910 Fires (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Traveler (approx. 0.3 miles away); Johnson’s Big Cut (approx. 0.4 miles away); Little in Name Only (approx. 0.4 miles away); Electrified (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Avery.
More about this marker. On the right are several illustrations with the captions, "In 1952 the lounge cars were replaced with the Super Dome
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 22, 2011
2. The Olympian Hiawatha Marker
Also see . . .
1. Route of the Hiawatha Rail Trail. (Submitted on August 5, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
2. The Olympian Hiawathas. 1947 20-page Milwaukee Road illustrated booklet. (Submitted on December 14, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
Additional commentary.
1. The Olympian Hiawatha and The Columbian
The Olympian Hiawatha in 1947 was one of two daily Milwaukee Road passenger trains that ran between Chicago and Seattle. As train No. 15, it left Chicago Union Station at 1:30 PM. 2189 track miles and 43 hours later (two overnights) the it arrived in Seattle Union Station on the third day at 8:30 AM. 35 minutes later it would terminate at Milwaukee Road Station in Tacoma. The return as train No. 16 left Tacoma at 1:30 PM, Seattle at 2:45, and arrived Chicago at 1:45 PM two days later.
The eastbound Olympian Hiawatha stopped here at Avery at 8:35 PM on the second day after leaving Chicago and would get to Seattle the following morning. The westbound train stopped here at 2:25 AM on its way to Chicago. The better train to take from Seattle to Avery would have been Milwaukee Road's train No. 18, The Columbian, which left Seattle at 10:30 PM and arrived here at 11:05 AM the next day. Another overnight and The Columbian would arrive in Chicago at 8:45 AM. Westbound from Chicago The Columbian left at 11:15 PM, stopped at Avery at 6:45 PM and arrived Seattle at 7:30 AM.
The Milwaukee Road had a third train with “Hiawatha” in its name. It was the Morning Hiawatha, that did not get this far west. it ran between Chicago and Minneapolis. It's 8 hour and 15 minute run was during the day.
— Submitted December 14, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,110 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
