Late 19th century The railroad boom burst upon Rapids in the 1870s. In 1870 the nearest railroad was at New Lisbon, with mail carried from there daily by evening stage. In 1872 the Green Bay and Lake Pepin Railroad reached Rapids itself, heading west. In 1873 the Wisconsin Valley Railway arrived from Tomah. The Port Edwards, Centralia & Northern was built by local interests in 1890, and the Chicago & Northwestern line to Marshfield in 1901.
lAte 19tH centUry tHe railroad bOom bURst upOn rApIDs in the 1870s. IN 1870 the nearEsT rAilrOAd was at NeW lisBon, WiTh maIl caRrieD From thERE dailY by eVEniNg Stage. iN 1872 the gReEn baY and Lake Pepin railrOad reached rApids iTSelf, HeaDing West. in 1873 tHe wisconsiN vallEy rAilwaY arRiveD frOm toMaH. THe porT eDwards, CeNtrAlia & nORthErn waS builT by lOcAL inteRests in 1890, and THE chIcaGO & NorThwESTerN liNe To maRsHfielD iN 1901.