The original location was crossing the Des Plaines River in Des Plaines, Illinois. This railroad is one of the oldest in the midwest, so it is not the first structure at that location.
That bridge was constructed as a multiple span structure in 1883.
In 1910, a series of railroad projects throughout the upper midwest were begun by the Chicago & North Western Railway. One of such was a line connecting Wyeville, Wisconsin and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
To counter the need for numerous overpasses, older spans were rehabilitated and widened for wagon and later vehicle use.
This particular span was relocated to Poplar Grove Road in Lebannon, Wisconsin. This bridge was set onto wooden substructures and approached by wooden trestle type approaches.
In 1996, Dodge County began a project to replace the Poplar Grove Road Bridge. As a result, Lamm's Nursery (currently LAMMSCAPES!) relocated and repainted the bridge to their property near Jackson, Wisconsin.
Today, the bridge is one of two historic metal trusses preserved on their property.
This bridge was built here in 1998 as a relocation and preservation effort from the Poplar Grove Road Bridge.
The bridge at it's current location consists of a single, small Double Intersection Warren Pony Truss. This truss has been widened for road use, and this was done Ca. 1910.
The bridge contains riveted connections, and is set onto wooden substructures that are likely relocated from the original Poplar Grove Road Bridge.
It is likely that the original bridge was built by Alden & Lassig Bridge & Iron Works of Chicago, a predecessor to Lassig Bridge & Iron Works. Various historic reports on the structure list this as a likely builder.
The bridge sits on private property, and permission is required to access the structure. However, the author would like to commend LAMMSCAPES! for their preservation efforts. The preservation knowledge demonstrated in relocating this historic bridge to the property exceeds expectations for any relocation and preservation. It is hoped this bridge will be preserved for generations to come.
The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to its extensive record of relocation and rehabilitation; as well as the thoughtful preservation carried out on the bridge.
The photo above is an overview. Historic photos from the Poplar Grove Bridge are part of the Historic American Engineering Record.