Board: Message Boards > Localities > North America > United States > States > Minnesota > Counties > Anoka URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.minnesota.counties.anoka/779/mb.a shx Subject: Centerville Area History, 1860s Author: mplsfitz Date: Friday, January 02, 2009 Classification: Biography Surnames: Peltier
From "Joe Peltier, 92, Remembers First Train Through Hugo," Forest Lake Times, Sec V Page 7, 15 Sep 1949: The year 1869 was a memorable one for the 12-year old lad, and to this day he remembers the first train that chugged into the depot at Hugo. All those who cared to go for a free ride were taken aboard, and the train, consisting of five or six cars, pulled away from the station-a 20 x 20 structure made of wood slabs standing on piles.... Residents spent their time hunting and fishing, he says, with little thought of farming beyond the necessities. Peddling fish and game, as well as blueberries and similar products in season, was a source of cash for many of the families. Indians came frequently to the homes of early settlers, to gawk and to discuss matters of mutual concern, when they could speak French. A visit to St. Paul in those days was a visit to a very small town. And after a long trip through the woods, one might come upon another small village, the present-day Minneapolis, known then as St. Anthony.
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