Transportation was vitally important to the brick makers of Chaska. Their brick was shipped by steamboat and barges to the Twin Cities, where it found a ready market. When the railroads arrived, they became the primary method of shipping brick to the Twin Cities and other markets. The engineers who constructed these railroads had a tricky time, finding good ways to locate the railroads down the sides of the Minnesota River valley. The old Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad route, which ran from Minneapolis, through Eden Prairie, Chaska, and Carver, and across the Minnesota River, has long since been abandoned.

Today it is used as a recreational trail, although certain parts of it are closed off. For several years, I have wanted to bike or walk the trail from Eden Prairie to Chaska. This fall, I finally got the chance to walk the route. I was especially excited to see the descent of the old railroad line into the Minnesota River valley with the beautiful fall colors. This walk did not disappoint. It is like walking back in time, as the old railroad line is almost hidden from the modem world until you descend in Chaska.

There was an abundance of birds, grapes, berries, animals, and colorful vegetation. I saw less than 10 people the entire way. The highlight of the walk is seeing St. Mark’ s Catholic Church of Shakopee when you break out and start descending into the Minnesota River valley. This is an impressive brick church, and it stands out beautifully in the fall colors. As I walked the trail, the vegetation has really grown up along it, which masks a lot of the views that were once there. It must have been a beautiful train ride back in the day! If you get a chance, bike or ride the recreational trails across the southwest Metro.