Brainerd: "The Crossing"
The city of Brainerd entirely began as the Northern Pacific railroad determined that their great transcontinental railroad would cross the Mississippi at the site. Though Crow Wing, to the South, would have been a better suited site in many ways land would have been more expensive to acquire. The railroad ultimately decided to cross north at what would later be called Brainerd. This is perhaps an early reminder that whomever determines the nature of the transportation system can manipulate situational advantages.
A townsite was quickly established in Brainerd as soon as it was determined that the railroad would build its crossing there. The first buildings in town were built of logs and also frame buildings were thrown up. These were supplemented by the growing number of tents, and temporary structures in the town. Most buildings clustered around Front Street, which is located parallel to and south of the tracks.
As the construction of the Northern Railroad to Brainerd was completed and moved westward, the headquarters and general offices of the railroad were established in Brainerd, as well as the main rail yard. These new establishments brought many supporting industries, such as railroad tie making, and new residents poured in.
The first saw mill was built in 1872, harkening the ascent of the wood extracting/processing industry in the Brainerd region. It was originally located near the railroad bridge, but was subsequently relocated downstream. A larger mill was established in 1893 at the site of the new dam built by the Crow Wing Boom Company.
The town form has changed greatly over the years The townsite, originally oriented towards the crossing and Front Street, was later pulled towards the blocks around Sixth and Laurel Streets. As the automobile gained ground and the lakes around Nisswa became a more important factor for movement in the region, the 210 strip west of the Mississippi began to gain ground, and a mall was constructed here. I argue that the new center of the Brainerd region has become the intersection of 210 and the new 371, in Baxter. ... more