Property Record
MISSISSIPPI RIVER, NORTH OF CASS ST BRIDGE IN NORTH LA CROSSE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Milwaukee Road RR Bridge |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 33742 |
| Location (Address): | MISSISSIPPI RIVER, NORTH OF CASS ST BRIDGE IN NORTH LA CROSSE |
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| County: | La Crosse |
| City: | La Crosse |
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| Year Built: | 1902 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1996 |
| Historic Use: | bridge |
| Architectural Style: | NA (unknown or not a building) |
| Structural System: | Swing Bridge |
| Wall Material: | Metal |
| Architect: | Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Bridge and Building Dept. |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. A significant example of early railway construction, the North La Crosse Railway Bridge is now threatened by a present drive to replace it because of problems with the river channel. Constructed by the Milwaukee Road from North La Crosse to Minnesota in 1876 in a five month period after a long fight over the site between the Milwaukee Road and Southern Minnesota Railroad interest. This bridge was replaced by a steel bridge on concrete piers in 1902. The railroad bridge at La Crosse joined the city with Minneapolis-St. Paul as well as with the expanding frontier settlements of Southern Minnesota and the Dakotas. The bridge was instrumental in making La Crosse a transportation center of great importance and it stimulated the growth of trade and manufacturing. When it opened in 1876 La Crosse had thriving riverboat and rail connections. The La Crosse bridge was the second bridge over the Mississippi within Wisconsin. The La Crosse bridge, moreover, was a more solid structure than the Prairie du Chien bridge and on a more direct route between Milwaukee-Chicago and St. Paul. American Bridge Company of New York fabricated the swing span, while McClintic-Marshall Company of Pittsburgh fabricated the deck girders, which were reused in the current bridge. moveable bridge |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Sanford and H. Hirschheimer, A History of La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1841-1900 (La Crosse, 1951) p. 149. B. La Crosse Republican Leader, 25 October 1902. C. La Crosse Chronicle, 5 January 1902. D. La Crosse Daily Press, 22 October 1901. E. Dr. Les Crocker, Department of Art, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Railway Age from July 11th, 1902 |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |