- 1864: 62 miles completed from Escanaba to Negaunee, Michigan by the Peninsula Railroad Company of Michigan
- 1865: Peninsula Railroad Company of Michigan acquired by the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1870: 5 miles completed from Negaunee to Ishpeming, Michigan by the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1871: 50 miles completed from Green Bay to Marinette, Wisconsin by the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1872: 65 miles completed from Marinette to Escanaba, Michigan by the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1888: 22 miles completed from Ishpeming to Republic, Michigan by the Iron Range Railway
- 1889: Iron Range Railway acquired by the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1997: Green Bay to Ishpeming segment sold to Wisconsin Central, Ltd
- 2001: Canadian National Railway acquires Wisconsin Central, Ltd
- 2001-Present: Canadian National operates the line between Green Bay and Ishpeming as the Marinette Subdivision
06/26/21
This large bridge is an icon to the city of Peshtigo, which grew up along the Chicago & North Western Railway.
The bridge features three spans of large quadrangular through truss. The two end spans happen to be longer than the middle span, which is only 95 feet in length.
The bridge is of newer construction, but still contains some older details. It contains riveted connections, and rests on stone substructures.
A former bridge at this location was a circa 1879 truss bridge that would likely be relocated to South Dakota or Nebraska.
In addition, the bridge contains A-Frame portals. Unfortunately, the perfectly sunny day turned cloudy as I got to Peshtigo.
Overall, the bridge looks to be in great condition. The author has rated the bridge with moderate significance, due to the odd feature of the middle span and the nationally uncommon design, but due to the popularity of the structure in the Upper Midwest. The middle span appears to be the most unique feature on this bridge. It is unknown why this span would be shorter. In traditional bridge building, the longest span is the center span.
It is likely that it has to do with a small island under the middle of the bridge.
The photo above is an overview looking north along the bridge.