Profiting from the Plains: The Great Northern Railway and Corporate Development of the American West [Hardcover]

Claire Strom (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2003

"Profiting from the Plains" looks at two inextricably linked historical movements in the United States: the westward expansion of the great Northern Railway and the agricultural development of the northern plains. Claire Strom explores the persistent, idiosyncratic attempts by the Great Northern to boost agricultural production along its rail routes from St. Paul to Seattle between 1878 and 1917. Lacking a federal land grant, the Great Northern could not make money through land sales like other railways. It had to rely on haulage to make a profit, and the greatest potential for increasing haulage lay in farming. The energetic and charismatic owner of the Great Northern Railway, James J. Hill, spearheaded most of the initiatives undertaken by his corporation to boost agricultural production. He tried, often unsuccessfully, to persuade farmers of the profitability of his methods, which were largely based on his personal farming experience. When Hill's initial efforts to increase haulage failed, he shifted his focus to working with outside agencies and institutions, often providing them with the funding to pursue projects he hoped would profit his railroad. At the time, state and federal agencies were also promoting agricultural development through irrigation, conservation, and dryland farming, but their agendas often clashed with those of the Great Northern Railway. Because Hill failed to grasp the extent to which politicians' goals differed from those of the railroad, his use of federal expertise to promote agricultural change often backfired. But despite these obstacles, the railroad magnate ironically remained among the last defenders of the small-scale farmer modelled on Jeffersonian idealism. This fascinating story of railroad politics and development ties into themes of corporate and federal sponsorship, which are increasingly recognized as fundamental to western history. As the first scholarly examination of James J. Hill's agricultural enterprises, "Profiting from the Plains" makes an important contribution to the biography of the popular and controversial Hill, as well as to western and environmental history. Claire Strom is assistant professor of history, North Dakota State University, Fargo.

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Profiting from the Plains looks at two inextricably linked historical movements in the United States: the westward expansion of the Great Northern Railway and the agricultural development of the northern plains. Claire Strom explores the persistent, idiosyncratic attempts by owner James J. Hill to boost agricultural production along the Great Northern's rail routes from St. Paul to Seattle between 1878 and 1917. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Claire Strom is assistant professor of history, North Dakota State University, Fargo.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 228 pages
• Publisher: University of Washington Press (November 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0295983485
• ISBN-13: 978-0295983486
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,667,664 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Claire Strom was born in Boston, Mass., but grew up in Cambridge, England. A professional historian, she holds the Rapetti-Trunzo Chair in History at Rollins College in Florida. She is also editor of the international journal, Agricultural History. She is the author (or co-author) of three books on American history and is currently researching the history of sexuality in Florida.