The first record of navigation on the Red River appears to be around 1820. Boating operations on all navigable streams of early America worked to capacity during the early periods of the settlement of this country. There were hundreds of unnamed streams which contributed to the country's growth, and because of these streams, settlements developed far more rapidly. Where the rivers were large, such as the Mississippi, the St. Croix and the Minnesota, flat-bottomed boats were used. They were built quickly, and almost as easily dismantled at the end of their journey; then the lumber was sold for other purposes - indeed a profitable business, for the lumber was sold at a good price.

The Red River of the North became one of these well-known streams. It arises near Wahpeton and Breckenridge, being formed by the joining of the Bois de Sioux and the Otter Tail rivers. The Otter Tail River has its source at Elbow Lake and the Bois de Sioux from Lake Traverse. As the two rivers become the Red River, it flows due north to Lake Winnipeg, which in turn empties into Hudson's Bay. At certain times of the year when the water was high and the spring snows were melting, it was possible to travel from Hudson's Bay to the Gulf of Mexico without ever having to portage. One could start at the Bay, cross Lake Winnipeg, ascend the Red River to where Wahpeton is now situated, enter the Bois de Sioux, travel to Lake Traverse, and from there to Big Stone Lake, on into the Minnesota River, joining the Mississippi at St. Paul, then on to St. Louis and eventually to New Orleans.

Red River transportation was used by persons settling in the northern part of the valley. Much business was brought to Moorhead and Fargo because of the river. The Northern Pacific, in 1873, built an addition to its freight depot on the banks of the river in Moorhead to care for the increased business. A track was laid to the steamboat landing so the cars could be unloaded directly into the boats.

The Red River Transportation Company was organized during the winter of 1873-74. It had five boats and twenty barges in operation. In 1874 the Merchants International Steamboat Company was created to represent the interests of the St. Paul, Moorhead and Fort Garry sponsors who were dissatisfied with the operations of the Red River Transportation Company. Boat building, too, became a profitable industry in Moorhead. The chief boat building yards were located near the river at the foot of Fifth Street North. In 1875 the first two boats to be built here, the "Minnesota" and the "Manitoba," were constructed by the Merchants Transportation Company. They were claimed to be the best to ply the waters of the Red River.

The bonanza wheat farms which were developing in the Red River Valley shipped their wheat to Moorhead by boats and barges. The grain continued to market by rail. One of these farms, the Grandin farm, had its own private boat constructed by the boatyard in Moorhead. This boat became a familiar sight to early residents as it brought wheat into the elevator. The Grandin farm also built a private elevator on the Fargo side of the river to facilitate storage of its produce until shipment to other markets was arranged. This elevator was demolished during the flood of 1897 and was not rebuilt.

The steamboats that plied the Red River were flat-bottomed and drew from two to three feet of water when loaded. They were wood burning and usually either pushed or had the barges in tow. A number of these boats could carry over a hundred tons of freight plus a number of passengers and tug a pair of barges alongside. It took an average of 60 hours or three to four days from here to Fort Garry in the Hudson Bay, and about the same time for the return trip to Fargo. The barges were about 100 feet long by 24 feet wide and had a capacity of 300 tons. The Alsop Line built two barges which were square and named them the "Fargo" and "Moorhead." These barges had capacities of 250 tons each.

Large steamers for use in the British waters to the north were usually built in the boat yards of Fargo and Moorhead. This provided work for a large number of persons and brought in a steady source of revenue. The distance from Breckenridge to Winnipeg was 300 miles by rail, but about 900 miles when the curves of the Red River were followed. The extent of the meanderings of the Red River may be better appreciated by a statement made by H. T. Alsop. He stated that he, as a boy, often jumped on a steamboat in Moorhead, rode 15 miles downstream, then jumped off and walked two miles back to town. Although water transportation was inexpensive, it was slowed by the winding river and was often unreliable. So, rail transportation was preferred when it became available.

The amount of business accomplished by the steamboats was extensive. It helped to settle the country, made the marketing of products possible, and provided employment for many people. The era lasted from 1871 to 1886. As soon as the railroad was built from Moorhead to Winnipeg, it became unnecessary to use water transportation, and the Red River steamboats became a thing of the past.

Images and content provided by the North Dakota State University Archives Library and Digital Horizons.
Book Title: A Century Together: A History of Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota. 1975