Union Depot Yard/ Rails
In Saint Paul, commerce originally developed in this area between the upper and lower landings due to the river, and later, train traffic. Due to its location, Saint Paul eventually emerged as the transportation hub to the Northwest. Several depots that dotted downtown were joined together in the Saint Paul Union Depot in 1879. By 1893 the railroads had reached the West Coast. A major part of the goods and materials that were needed to support the development of the western states were manufactured in, assembled in, or in some other way, passed through Saint Paul. At that time a full 25% of all freight track mileage passed through Saint Paul and an an average of almost 200 trains were arriving in the city each day.
