During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Winnipeg Junction thrived as a boomtown, housing over 250 people. However, it is now a deserted town, with remnants of its history buried beneath a local resident's garden. Winnipeg Junction experienced a period of growth when the Northern Pacific Railroad and Lake Superior & Puget Sound Railroad competed for the privilege to construct a junction to Winnipeg, Canada. Unfortunately, the town's success was short-lived. The railway tracks were built on the site of an ancient glacial lake, Lake Agassiz, resulting in deteriorating tracks and a steep incline. This caused the railway to relocate and greatly impacted the town's population, which declined significantly within just 14 years of its founding.
A group of students, led by Dr. Amanda Butler from Minnesota State University Moorhead and Dr. Zev Cossin, excavated the land around Ole Gol's Saloon in the summer of 2022. Their aim was to gain insights into the pastimes and drinking habits of the town's residents. Despite having only 250 inhabitants, the town had three saloons, which was quite significant. This educational project provides a glimpse into the history of Winnipeg Junction and the people who used to call it home. The introduction of the railway in rural Midwest areas played a crucial role in the growth of colonialism, immigration, and capitalism. This link directly connects the development of the transcontinental railway to the height of the American Gilded Age.