logo

Bay City Creek Trail Bridge

Deck Girder Bridge over Bay City Creek
Ashland, Ashland County, Wisconsin

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Bay City Creek Trail Bridge
Built By Wisconsin Central Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Ashland County
Length 185 Feet Total, 45 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 25 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Steel Pile and Timber Pile
Date Built 1926
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is a Trail)
Current Status Open to Trail Traffic
Significance Minimal Significance
Documentation Date December 2016


This standard deck girder bridge crosses over Bay City Creek in Ashland.
Located near the once proud ore dock, this bridge serves as a trail, while the ore dock was removed.
It is believed that this bridge dates to 1926, when a flash flood destroyed the previous trestle, although it is apparent the piers supporting the main span have been rebuilt. The main deck girder span is approached by trestle, and the bridge rests on a combination of steel and wood substructures.
A missing builders plaque is present on the bridge. However, it cannot be identified. It could possibly be either a Bethlehem Steel Company or a McClintic-Marshall Company plaque, both of which support the 1926 date.
Currently, the structure serves as the Tri County Corridor, a trail following the old railroad route.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition.

The author has ranked this bridge as being minimally significant, due to the common design and newer age.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from the trail it carries.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Estimated based on similar spans
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele