Old Missoula

4 Captions of Photos on Page 24 Section C

Before Milwaukee Was Electrified Through Here

Steam locomotives were used by the Milwaukee Railroad for more than six years through Missoula before the line was electrified. The Milwaukee passenger station was completed in 1910 by the contractors, Allen J. Olson and Frederick Johnson, with G. D. Forssen construction superintendent. Completion of the building came a year after the line was completed through to the Pacific Coast from the Twin Cities. (Courtesy of Milwaukee Railroad)

Milwaukee’s First Electric Passenger Locomotive

The Milwaukee’s first electric passenger locomotive, called the bi-polar electric, hauls a long passenger train into Missoula. Only five of these locomotives, unusual in railroad operation, were constructed. (Courtesy of R. V. Nixon)

Marks Spot

This large yellow spike about five miles west of Garrison between mile post 1577 and mile post 1578 marks the site of the gold spike driven May 19, 1909, connecting east and west lines of the Milwaukee Road. (Courtesy of Milwaukee Railroad)

Last Spike of Milwaukee Placed West of Garrison

These are some of the officials and spectators at the ceremony marking the placing of the last spike of the Milwaukee Railroad May 19, 1909, about five miles west of Garrison.

Steam locomotives were used in the early years of the railroad through Montana with electrification through the mountains coming about six years later.

Most of these men were railroad officials or employees or representatives of the contractors. From left are W. R Lanning; a Mr. Copland; J. W. Fry; U. J. Fry; R. R. Weeks; J. F. Pinson, district engineer; Supt. C. H. Marshall; Dr. E. W. Spottswood, Missoula; E. J. Pearson; J. H. Ellison, superintendent of contractors; C. H. Mcleod (just to right of locomotive with “12” over head), Missoula Mercantile Co. executive; C. F. Loweth; W. O. Winston, contractor; Frank Conley, warden of Montana State Penitentiary; Fred T. Sterling, Missoula; George Nick; Mott Sawyer; W. H. Davidson; H. E. Stevens; J. D. McVicar; J. J. Harding, and A. L. Stone, editor of the Daily Missoulian and later founder of Montana State University Journalism School. (Courtesy of Milwaukee Road)