First train crossing Rainy Lake Bridge at Ranier. April 28, 1908. [Original Photograph shows the crossing of a D.R.L. & W Railway (Duluth, Rainy Lake & Winnipeg Railway) steam locomotive across the Scherzer Rolling Lift bridge pulling three cars]. by [RAILROAD PHOTO -- RANIER, MINNESOTA] - 1908].

[Ranier, MN & International Falls, MN: A.W. Lindvall Studios, 1908]. Original photo. 7.5 x 9.75 in. Sepia-tinted photograph, mounted on dark gray board, 11 x 14, w/ caption inscribed in negative at lower fore-edge (slight rubbing, edgewear), NF. This splendid original photo visually chronicles the first train to cross the newly built Rainy Lake Bridge connecting Ranier, MN with Fort Frances, ONT, and which today serves as one of the busiest rail crossings between the U.S. and Canada, serving more than 20 trains a day. An 1893 gold rush kicked off the development of the area, with the gold quickly petering out, it became the center of timber operations and paper mills. The Canadian Northern began their spur to run down to the bridge being constructed at the end of 1907, and the Duluth Rainy Lake & Winnipeg which was a subsidiary of Canadian Northern Railway extended their line North, and both lines completed the bridge by April 12th, 1908. On Tuesday, April 28, 1908 at 6:20 PM the first train shown here in the photo crossed the bridge with most of the prominent railroad and business men from Minneapolis, Brainerd, Duluth, Winnipeg, and International Falls invited to attend. A.W. Lindvall (fl. 1906-1908),was partner with Roland W. Reed (1864-1934), noted photographer of Native Americans who at the time of this image operated his primary studio in Bemidji, MN. By June, 1908, regular service was inaugurated from Duluth to Winnipeg across the Bridge. See; Community Memories, Fort Frances Museum & Cultural Centre; Directory of Minnesota Photographers, Minnesota Historical Society; The Pioneer, Friday, January 19, 1906, Bemidji, MN, p. 3.