NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD
The Federal government gave land to railroad companies in exchange for the promise to build railroads. Specifically, in 1864, the U.S. wanted to connect St. Paul, Minnesota to Seattle, Washington, so it chartered the Northern Pacific Railroad. A very generous grant was offered to the railroad company. Much of the land offered was located along the Red River Valley in Minnesota and North Dakota, double the size of any previous grant. As a result, the Northern Pacific Railroad became the largest single business enterprise ventured at that time.
"Every alternate section of public land...designated by odd numbers, the amount of twenty alternate sections per
mile, on each side of said railroad line...through the territories of the United States...ten through any state."
[US, Statutes at Large, XIII, 367, July 2, 1864]
"Every alternate section of public land...designated by odd numbers, the amount of twenty alternate sections per
mile, on each side of said railroad line...through the territories of the United States...ten through any state."
[US, Statutes at Large, XIII, 367, July 2, 1864]
Pacific Railroad Act
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