By LAUREL M. HALL Kitchigami Regional Library The history of Brainerd and the surrounding communities is inextricably tied to two physical elements: The Mississippi River and the railroad.

...starring Guy Madison and Barbara Payton.80 years ago (1932)One thousand Brainerd men, employees of the Northern Pacific shops, prepared to resume work tomorrow morning. They had been without work since December 17. They will build the...

...Lake from 1946 to 1960. 60 years ago (1950)If materials are made available there will be a major program at the Northern Pacific shops here in 1951. The present order for 62 steel cabooses will be followed by an order for 100 covered hopper cars...

...county and use the site for a metered parking lot. 60 years ago (1940) Nearly 800 men were back at work in the Northern Pacific Shops here today after the usual two weeks layoff over the holidays. With their return, employment at the shops totals...

...by the Crow Wing County Planning Commission. 40 years ago (1960) Work started on 150 refrigerator cars at the Northern Pacific Shops. Five men were recalled to work and additional men may be added later. The shops also have an order for 500...

...square." 100 years ago (1901) Monday noon the hearts of about 150 men employed in the Motive department of the Northern Pacific Shops of this city were made glad, each one receiving a notification from Master Mechanic Bean, that the wages had...

...Year's Eve there were a few social events among which was the dance given in Gardner Hall by the machinists at the Northern Pacific Shops. The dancing was kept up until 2 o'clock in the morning. -- Compiled by Bob Turcotte

...The Hub Cafe. Special committees were appointed by Schaefer for the year. 60 years ago (1942) Employees of the Northern Pacific Shops in Brainerd will reserve approximately $50,000 in back pay in addition to their regular two-week salary...

...Back in the Depression years the only hope a person had in Brainerd was to get a job at the paper mill or the Northern Pacific shops," Bierhaus said. "That was it, unless you worked part time for tourism stuff. But, with a name like Bierhaus...

...Rates by the week $2.50 and up. 100 years ago (1903) Some three hundred men working on the car side of the Northern Pacific shops in this city have had their hours cut down from ten to nine a day. --Compiled by Bob Turcotte