Sandstone at One Year Old – Part 2

From the Pine County Pioneer, July 20, 1888:

The Eastern Minnesota

Railroad has finished its grade and it is expected that the iron will be laid to this place in a few days. We took a look at the new bridge they are just completing over Kettle River at this place, and which is a fine specimen of engineering skill. The track crosses the river 132 feet above the river and gives a fine view of the classical scenery up and down the river as well as of the quarry with its hundreds of workmen. The quarry is now running at full blast, and the mill of Ring & Tobin is kept in operation day and night, and is turning out finished stone at a very rapid rate. The new diamond saw gives excellent satisfaction, and is a marvel of mechanism, which must be seen to be appreciated. The St. Paul & Duluth road have laid new iron on the branch and have put on a new engine of light weight, but which is much better than old No. 1. They still run the “Pullman Car” in lieu of a caboose and the people of the town are kicking terribly. The travel over the line has been sufficiently good to warrant the company in putting on half way decent accommodations.

There has been a number of fine new residences built but time and space will not permit of a description of them. The village is prospering finely and is destined in the near future to make a city. There are promises of new quarries being opened up, and other new industries springing up. In fact Mr. Eric Troline [Troolin] has moved his saw mill from Kanabec County to this place and will be a valuable addition to our industries. The people of Pine County feel jubilant over the prospects of our new city and are pleased to note its rapid advancement. To those who have never seen the village, we would say, go up and look it over, it will pay you well.

The Kettle River Bridge in Sandstone prior to the 1894 fire