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| Name | SKOL Mill Dam Road Bridge Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Bridge #153B |
| Built By | Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway |
| Currently Owned By | South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad |
| Superstructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 138 Feet Total, 54 Foot Main Span |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 12 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Deck Plate Girder and Timber Pile Trestle |
| Substructure Design | Stone Masonry, Concrete and Timber Pile |
| Date Built | 1901, Approach Added 1939 |
| Traffic Count | 1 Train/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | In Use |
| Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Bridge Number | 153B |
| South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad Bridge Number | 153.7 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 3/3/2017 |
In 1871, the Southern Kansas Railroad (SK) would construct a new railroad, extending 10 miles from Cherryvale, Kansas to Independence, Kansas. In 1879, the Southern Kansas and Western Railroad Company (SK&W) began constructing an additional 138 miles from Independence to Harper, Kansas. This route would be completed in 1880. Both railroads were consolidated into the Kansas City, Lawrence and Southern Kansas Railroad in 1879, which would be consolidated into the Southern Kansas Railway in 1883. In 1885, the Chicago, Kansas & Western Railroad would construct an additional 43 mile connection, between Chanute, Kansas and Longton, Kansas. The Southern Kansas Railway would be leased by the Atchison, Topeka
& Santa Fe Railway (ATSF) in 1899, and entirely consumed by the ATSF
in 1901. The ATSF had acquired and constructed a large number
of railroad lines throughout the western United States, particularly in
Kansas and Oklahoma. This line was utilized as a secondary mainline, connecting a number of ATSF mainlines in Southern Kansas. The line between Longton and Independence would be abandoned in 1968. The Chanute to Wellington segment would be sold to the South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad (SKOL) in 1990. In 2000, the Chanute to Fredonia segment would be abandoned, and purchased for future trail use. In approximately 2002, the segment between Oxford, Kansas and Wellington was abandoned. The remainder of the line continues to be operated by SKOL, serving mainly agricultural traffic. As of 2024, work is underway to convert the 19-mile Chanute to Fredonia segment to the Osage Cuestas Trail.
Located on the south side of Fredonia, this deck plate girder bridge crosses Mill Dam Road and an unnamed overflow of Salt Creek. Built in 1901, the bridge consists of a 54-foot "class B" deck plate girder, set onto a stone abutment and pier. The bridge was raised, and concrete added to the substructures in 1906. The approach was reportedly last constructed in 1939. This design of bridge was commonly used by railroads throughout the United States, as it was durable and easy to construct. Since the 1939 alterations, few other changes appear to have been made to the bridge. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with no significant deterioration. The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
Citations
| Build date | Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Bridge Records; Part of Railroad & Heritage Museum Fred M. and Dale M. Springer Archive; Temple, Texas |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |