Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-04-09
A Railroad Center!
PROJECTED LINES.THAT INTER.
SECT AT LEWISTON.
Its Natural Location
1nsures it to be the Central Point
Of Traffic and Commerce
in the State.

Lewiston lays claim to having the
most advantageous position of any
city in the state with reference to com
mercial advantages.
First, 1t lies at the head of river nayi-
CATION, point of special interest now
that the question of an open river to
the sea is assuming such vast propor-
tons, and creating a demand which
will result in clearing the river from
Lewiston to tide-water, so that large
steamers can ply the entire length of
the river between these points. This
secures to Lewiston the most adj
vantageous shipping point in North
Idaho. The grain and produce of this
vast region, composed of the counties of
l1atah, Shoshone, Idaho and Nez
Perez, will be shipped here to be trans
ferred to the river route, it being at all
times the cheaper means of transporta-
ton.
Again, the Typographical location of
Lewiston secures for it every line of
road extended for the development of
Central Idaho. The Clearwater flows
from It's source in the Bitter Roots
almost directly west, cutting the state
by deep canyon. The Snake and
Salmon rivers from the south do like
wise. Any railroad, projected into the
rich mineral and agricultural centers of
the state, must pass up or down these
deep river canyons. They form the
cheapest and only practical routes for
railroads penetrating the undeveloped
portions of the state. Lewiston. To-
Gated at the intersection of the Snake
and Clearwater, is the common point
at which all lines must meet. Its nat
ural location of necessity makes il the
future great railroad center of the
northwest.
NORTHERN PACIFIC.
The great trunk lines have not
been slow to see the advantage, and
each have in turn projected branches
and connecting lines through the city,
and have been arduous in securing
right of way privileges and lands for
depot grounds and available positions
along the river front. The Northern
Pacific will complete their Lewiston
branch into the city by the first of
June. This branch extends from Spo-
kane Falls through the whole extent
of the famous Palouse, through the
Potlatch, equally celebrated, down the
Clearwater into Lewiston. This road
will be great feeder for the river traffic
when the streams are open to the sea.
Cheap transportation will attract the
grain and other produce of these rich
sections to this point. The N. =. have
secured u valuable location of depot
grounds in the lower part of the city,
along the Clearwater side, and have, at
an enormous expense, built grades and
dikes protecting their property. Lew
iston will be made the end of the divis-
ion and round houses and depot build
ings will be constructed here this COM
ing season. From this place the North
ern Pacific have projected three branch
lines. One through Tammany Hol-
low to the Camas Prairie, a place
which for its fertility and richness is
the most attractive spot in Idaho for
the hOmeseeker. The second line will
reach up Snake river into the Seven
Devils mining region, whose ores it
will expect to convey through this
place to the smelter ut Spokane Falls.
The third branch will penetrate into
Asotin county, Washington, and open
up rich farming region now wholly
cut off from market except by the most
circuitOus route. These branch lines
the Northern Pacific directors agreed
upon at their late spring meeting and
surveying corps are here already in the
field to push the work along the lines.
UNION PACIFIC.
The Northern's great competitor, the
Union Pacific, is also interested in the
development of this country and had
surveying parties in the field last
season locating branch lines connect
Ing points along its vast extent of
branching lines. The U. P. lines now
cross the Snake at Huntington, in
Oregon, some two hundred miles up
the river from this point. A branch,
taking off the main line at Pendleton
for Spokane Falls, crosses the Snake
again at Riparia, some ninety miles be.
low Lewiston. A survey has been
made to connect these points. The
main advantages being to avoid the
snow blockades in the Blue mountains
and the heavy grades necessary in
climbing over that range. The route
down the river from Huntington is 9
"down hill" pull and is never blocked
with snow in the severest winter
From the point of economy alone, tn,
U. P. must soon extend this line from
L Axa~~-