Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railway Company Collection

1.47 linear feet (4 document cases)

The Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railway Company Records are significant for their detailed documentation of railroad operations and internal communications during a formative period in American transportation history. Originating from the Madison, South Dakota depot, these materials provide insight into how a major regional railway coordinated its daily activities, managed logistics, and handled communication across departments. Forms such as car reports, conductor delay records, and telegrams offer a practical view of the operational structure and administrative routines of a Class I railroad.

The collection is especially valuable for understanding the role of railroads in the economic development of South Dakota and the broader Midwest. It reflects how railway infrastructure supported small-town commerce and regional connectivity, offering a window into how railroads functioned as essential lifelines for rural communities throughout the 20th century.

In addition to its content, the collection carries significance for its preservation history. After being donated to Prairie Village in Madison, the records survived a barn fire that destroyed much of their storage environment. The effort to salvage, photocopy, and encapsulate representative samples demonstrates a successful recovery initiative and highlights the importance of archival intervention in the face of loss or deterioration.

Although the records do not constitute a comprehensive archive of the company’s transactions, they offer a rare and instructive sampling of original railroad forms and internal procedures. As such, they serve not only as a resource for transportation historians but also as a useful reference for scholars interested in archival preservation, regional history, and industrial-era communication practices.

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In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use. .sdstate.edu/sdsu-archives-and-special-collections/researcher-registration-form)

The collection is open for research, but please note that the materials in the Archives do not circulate and can only be used In the SDSU Archives and Special Collections Reading Room.

Please contact us in advance so we can prepare for your visit.

If you cannot visit the Archives in person, please reach out to us. We will do our best to help you find the information you need.

In most cases, the materials in this collection have not been digitized and are not available online.

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections supports access to the materials in its collections. However, access to some items may be restricted due to their fragile condition, donor agreements, or other considerations.

If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at: Telephone: 605-688-5094 Email: arcrefs@sdstate.edu

Reproduction of materials from the collection is subject to the following conditions:

• Permission: Written permission must be obtained from the SDSU Archives for any reproduction, publication, or quotation of materials.
• Copyright: Users are responsible for complying with copyright laws and securing any necessary permissions from copyright holders.
• Fragile Materials: Some items may not be reproduced due to their fragile condition.
• Charges: Reproduction charges may apply, and users will be informed of any costs in advance.

• Acknowledgment: Any reproduced material must include proper acknowledgment of the South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections as the source.

  For more information or to request permission, please contact the SDSU Archives.

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Copyright and Use Statement

In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.