The Stanley, Merrill and Phillips Railroad
Downtown Stanley along First Avenue

Chartered in 1893, the Stanley, Merrill and Phillips railway was established in order to meet the needs of the Northwestern Lumber Company. The railroad was needed to bring logs to the mill and to transport lumbermen to and from lumber camps. Secondly, the railroad provided passenger service, mail delivery, freight deliveries and excursion outings. The building to which this sign is attached served as a passenger and freight depot. The first passenger ticket was sold on May 1, 1903. In 1933 the S.M. and Par "slow motion and poverty," as the passenger train was known, ceased to operate.

Chippewa County Historical Society
Historic Sign #13