Milwaukie History Railroads Ecosystem Industrial Development Works Program Administration Flooding Plan Restoration Spring Water Corridor Teens on the Trail Memories Childhood Memories Development Recreation & Restoration Courtesy of Milwaukie Historical Society Rail service along the Springwater rail line aided the rapid development of cities and neighborhoods. An elaborate rail system allowed people to quickly travel to the outlying areas of Portland and beyond. To increase rail use on the weekends, the railroad developed amusement parks, picnic areas, and special events along its route. Many Portlanders used the trolley on weekends to visit a park, go fishing, picnicking, or even camping along Johnson Creek. Bell Station Market, a well-known landmark along Johnson Creek, was constructed at the turn of the century as a feed and general store. It served a stop on the Cazadero line of the Oregon Water, Power, and Railway Company through the 1930s and 40s and still stands today. The success of the railways was short-lived. Their use by the public peaked in 1910 but soon declined with the rise in popularity and availability of the automobile. Most of the passenger service rail lines were decommissioned between the 1930s and the 1950s. Courtesy of Milwaukie Historical Society