October 20, 1850- First train runs in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - On this day, Nov. 20, 1850, the first train ran in the state of Wisconsin.

The trip was a short one- five miles from Milwaukee to Wauwatosa.

Since then, the railroad has expanded and still runs on the same route today.

The inaugural trip was known as a “director’s special”, not open to the public.

The first public passenger run would happen three months later, on Feb. 25, 1851.

The train operated on the “Milwaukee and Mississippi” railroad. It later merged with other companies to form the Chicago, Milwaukee, Saint Paul and Pacific railroad.

It is better known as “Milwaukee Road.”

The original goal of the railroad was to build the line west, running from Milwaukee to Madison and Prairie du Chien. The line did reach Madison in 1854, and eventually stretched all the way to the Mississippi River at Prairie du Chien in 1857.

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