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Missoula History Minutes
20. Railroads Come
The original route laid out by Isaac Stevens' survey in 1854 designated a railroad line located to the north of Missoula. Several citizens convinced the Northern Pacific Railroad to come through the city. C. P. Higgins, Washington A. McCormick, Frank Worden, and A. J. Urlin offered land to the railroad to construct the station, yards, and right-of-way; thereby insuring that Missoula would not face the fate of other towns bypassed by the railroad.
The first Northern Pacific passenger train entered Missoula from the west on July 6, 1883. The entire Northern Pacific line was completed August 7, 1883 at Gold Creek, Montana. The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad reached Missoula in 1908. The railroads brought new settlers and greater prosperity to the Missoula Valley.