In the summer of 1914, The Minnesota Northwestern Electric Railway started the right of way from Thief River Falls to Goodridge. The first train arrived in Goodridge October 12, 1914. The rail remined in use untill 1940 when financial troubles shut it down.
The light gauge electric train made 15 stops from Thief River Falls to Goodridge, with two major stops a Silverton and Mavie in between. The Train made a stop every mile or so which alowed farmers to run errands and childern to travel to and from school. The electric powered car pulled as many as three freight box cars. The freight business did well until gas powered trucks started taking the roads.
The officers of the Railway were President and Treasurer Daniel Shaw, VP D.N. Winton, and General Manager H.W. Patterson. The first Depot agent was William Vaughan and was replace later by R.H. McDonald. The first conductor was Leon Babcock and later replaced by Joe Zaveral who conducted the final trip March 14, 1940.
Recently I took some pictures of the old railbed in Mavie and the Goodridge Depot that has been preserved by the Goodridge Historical Society headed By Norma Hanson.
Also shown are is a small picture of the Car and Passangers.
