Great Northern Railroad

• created 1889

• Started in MI and ended in Seattle

• Also went through Everett

• Did not take government land grants ... Why would Hill not take these?

Lesson on How to Build a Successful Railroad

• Helped settlers with their farms

• Helped to 'better' the land around his railroad .... Why would Hill do this?

• For example...change crops planted in a field each year

Great Northern Railroad: A Success Story

• Avoided debt by.......

• build in stages (how would this be helpful?)

• Sell homesteads to settlers (how would this help avoid debt?)

• Use money from sold land to fund more tracks and improvements (why was this a good idea?)

• Bought bankrupt companies