During the last CENTURY I actually rode the passenger car and had a ticket. The nice Conductor made sure to get me off at the Brainerd Station where I would meet my Auntie or Grandma. Even though I was only 9 I was old enough to ride without an adult. Made me feel great. Riding with friends that worked on the train who always knew MY Great Grandfather had died in 1917 explosion that took out the ROUND HOUSE
That gave me goosebumps. My grandfather came over from Norway in around 1890 for a few years then went back to get his bride to be. Then came back over and finally settled in Hawley Minnesota. Around 1896. He had 3 children by his first wife who past away. He then remarried had two more girls and my mother was the last one born in 1920. He did a lot of different employment in Hawley and was part of the board of directors of the First National bank of Hawley- Dilworth Minnesota. He built the family house in Hawley that still stands to this day. He must of done OK because he owned a Saxton automobile back then, they where vary expensive. I never met him or my grandmother because they all past away decades before I was born.
I've had the occasion to drive through Brainerd quite often starting in the 1970s and saw many of the more recent changes taking place. This video does a great job of filling in what happened "back in the old days." Thanks!
Wow, and excellent history of "The Shops" as we used to call them as kids. The Shop's shift change whistle was our timepiece back then, and it told us when we were to be heading home for supper, and more. Lots of good info here in a timeline that tells the decades-long history in a concise and informative way.
That is an excellent video for a variety of reasons: from the clear diction, short sentences, synchronized highlighting of the text to the selection of historic maps. Absolutely excellent!
Como Shops in St. Paul - now Bandana Square - are similar and my Northern Pacific career started there in 1961. The Brainard Shops were important to the Como Shops' passenger and freight car work. I enjoyed working at both shops over the years. You have produced a wonderful historical update.
Like a lot of online things, I came across this one by random chance (I think...). My dad was from Crosby, Mn (15 miles east) , and we visited Brainerd many times. Very interesting.
I live in Walker Minnesota about 60 mi north of brainerd and we own the original cement block making machine that basically built this whole town in the late 1800s and it still works
Wow. Impressive video. Will re-visit. As another person noted, this is very similar to Bandana Square in St Paul…it’s been converted to a medical clinic and an event center and some offices….overall it seems to be thriving…folks think of shops first…but a medical clinic is always necessary and generally a very good option…the medical companies have the funds to rehab it properly….
My Great Grandfather was a worker in the Locomotive Shop until he was involved in an Industrial explosion that killed him. Many of the carpenter moved on but had come from Finland, Europe with offers of LAND, Hunting and Blueberries.
I worked at the Oelwein Ia shops for CNW in the late 70s and early 80s , went back a few years ago and its a total shame how a great repair shop could be turned to utter garbage.
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Superb research and presentation!
During the last CENTURY I actually rode the passenger car and had a ticket. The nice Conductor made sure to get me off at the Brainerd Station where I would meet my Auntie or Grandma. Even though I was only 9 I was old enough to ride without an adult. Made me feel great. Riding with friends that worked on the train who always knew MY Great Grandfather had died in 1917 explosion that took out the ROUND HOUSE
Just want to re-iterate how much I absolutely love your channel.
My great uncle and aunt lived across the street from the shops in Brainard.
Great video!
That gave me goosebumps. My grandfather came over from Norway in around 1890 for a few years then went back to get his bride to be. Then came back over and finally settled in Hawley Minnesota. Around 1896. He had 3 children by his first wife who past away. He then remarried had two more girls and my mother was the last one born in 1920. He did a lot of different employment in Hawley and was part of the board of directors of the First National bank of Hawley- Dilworth Minnesota. He built the family house in Hawley that still stands to this day. He must of done OK because he owned a Saxton automobile back then, they where vary expensive. I never met him or my grandmother because they all past away decades before I was born.
Growing up in Aitkin, 30 miles to the east made Brainerd the “big” city to visit and shop.
Very good presentation.
Learned a lot.
I've had the occasion to drive through Brainerd quite often starting in the 1970s and saw many of the more recent changes taking place. This video does a great job of filling in what happened "back in the old days." Thanks!
thank you i enjoy all of your videos
Wow, and excellent history of "The Shops" as we used to call them as kids. The Shop's shift change whistle was our timepiece back then, and it told us when we were to be heading home for supper, and more. Lots of good info here in a timeline that tells the decades-long history in a concise and informative way.
Excellent presentation!
Solid presentation, thank you.
That is an excellent video for a variety of reasons: from the clear diction, short sentences, synchronized highlighting of the text to the selection of historic maps. Absolutely excellent!
Como Shops in St. Paul - now Bandana Square - are similar and my Northern Pacific career started there in 1961. The Brainard Shops were important to the Como Shops' passenger and freight car work. I enjoyed working at both shops over the years. You have produced a wonderful historical update.
Great video it’s fun to learn about the towns you drive through and wonder why it was built.
Like a lot of online things, I came across this one by random chance (I think...).
My dad was from Crosby, Mn (15 miles east) , and we visited Brainerd many times. Very interesting.
very interesting thanks. My dad was a Brakeman/Conductor on the NP
My Grandfather was a machinist at the shops.
I live in Walker Minnesota about 60 mi north of brainerd and we own the original cement block making machine that basically built this whole town in the late 1800s and it still works
Very interesting video
Wow. Impressive video. Will re-visit. As another person noted, this is very similar to Bandana Square in St Paul…it’s been converted to a medical clinic and an event center and some offices….overall it seems to be thriving…folks think of shops first…but a medical clinic is always necessary and generally a very good option…the medical companies have the funds to rehab it properly….
My Great Grandfather was a worker in the Locomotive Shop until he was involved in an Industrial explosion that killed him. Many of the carpenter moved on but had come from Finland, Europe with offers of LAND, Hunting and Blueberries.
🇺🇸 hello from Kansas
I worked at the Oelwein Ia shops for CNW in the late 70s and early 80s , went back a few years ago and its a total shame how a great repair shop could be turned to utter garbage.
How many churches at that time.
Wah-tab, not Wah-tahb.
l have some chaska bricks
Wow, Brainerd used to be pretty.
Lol. They have a lottttttt of fast food places nowadays.
It's pronounced "Wah-tab", not "Wuh-tob". At least I've never heard anyone pronounce it that way in my 38 years of living in the area.