CMStPnPThe name of the train is based on the poem which is based on Indian mythology or legend (not historical figures).
The name of the train was taken directly from that of the PROTAGONIST of the poem. Whether associated with 'legend or myth' or some other inspiration, Hiawatha remains a person, a character, which of course is the sense I meant. If this is confusing, take it up with Nawadaha, or more figuratively still, Wenonah and Mudjekeewis (or rather Kabeyun) and Nokomis.
Regardless, I'm glad you posted the link, and that we could see just how a wonderful train was made still more wonderful.
Something I had not realized was just how small at least some of the Skytops appeared ... in some of those 'going away' shots they look very low. Perhaps this is just by contrast with the size of the Super Domes...
OvermodThe whole 'Hiawatha tribe' thing is a hoot, the sort of thing you get from folks whose knowledge of Native American culture comes from playing Cowboys and Indians or reading Western dime novels. You might as well talk about the Tecumseh or Geronimo tribes. Even in the poem, Hiawatha was a person. In the famous MILW emblem he is a person. Historically he was a person.
OK Chief Overmod but....
I don't think that is quite correct. The poem was based on Indian Legend / myth not factual people. However make sure you pay particular attention to this passage in the link below:
"The name Hiawatha derives from the name of a historical figure associated with the League of the Iroquois, the Five Nations, then located in present-day New York and Pennsylvania."
Geographically, that is where the Mohawks are and into Southern Canada, where there is a FIRST NATIONS, HIAWATHA reservation, which is probably more related to the Indian legend than it is to the train.
Back in their heyday the Iroquis did have the land around Lake Superior as well as part of Wisconsin but I still think it is legend because that was the far western extent of their tribal land AND the link indicates the historical person name Hiawatha occured after their tribal lands had shrunk.
I do not think there were any Hiawatha tribes or people named Hiawatha in Wisconsin beyond the legend and fantasy. The author of the poem was inspired by the images on the painted rocks on Lake Superior but I am not sure anything he wrote in that poem was based on reality.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Song_of_Hiawatha
The name of the train is based on the poem which is based on Indian mythology or legend (not historical figures). If you look at some of the names of the cars on the first Hiawatha, some are pulled directly from the poem.
The whole 'Hiawatha tribe' thing is a hoot, the sort of thing you get from folks whose knowledge of Native American culture comes from playing Cowboys and Indians or reading Western dime novels. You might as well talk about the Tecumseh or Geronimo tribes.
Even in the poem, Hiawatha was a person. In the famous MILW emblem he is a person. Historically he was a person.
I have not bothered to see if the headdresses were 'historically correct'. But I really doubt they were...
BaltACD Too bad the Hiawatha Tribe didn't get involved in Indian gaming casino's - they could have saved the MILW.
Too bad the Hiawatha Tribe didn't get involved in Indian gaming casino's - they could have saved the MILW.
I think the best part of the video was everyone sitting in the Dome with an Indian headdresses on.........you know if that happened today they would all be labeled racists....ha-ha.
On a more serious note and in response to your post. I think the Hiawatha tribe was more Mohawk / Iroquis area. I don't think any of them existed West or North of Chicago. There is a Hiawatha tribe reservation in Ontario. I am not an Indian historian but I think it probably traces to Mohawk or Iroquis confederation.
The name of the Hiawatha train came from Henry Wadsworth Longfellows poem "The Song of the Hiawatha" vs the Indian tribe........probably the reason the Milwaukee and Amtrak never got sued over the name, the name is more based on myth than a historical tribe, chief or item. Though the Milwaukee gave generously to Indian charities I read somewhere.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Nice footage.......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZvejrLnnuo
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