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| Name | Fox River Trail - Fox River Shores Bridge Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge #648 |
| Built By | Chicago & North Western Railway |
| Currently Owned By | Forest Preserve District of Kane County |
| Superstructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Substructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 16 Feet Total |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 10 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Steel Stringer |
| Substructure Design | Stone Masonry |
| Date Built | 1902 |
| Traffic Count | 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Open to Pedestrian Traffic) |
| Current Status | Open to Pedestrian Traffic |
| Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge Number | 648 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 2/27/2022 |
In 1854, the Fox River Valley Railroad (FRV) constructed 36 miles of new railroad line, extending between the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad line at Elgin, Illinois; north to Genoa, Wisconsin. In 1860, the FRV became part of the Elgin & State Line Railroad (E&SL). This railroad was one of a number of branch lines constructed in northeast Illinois during the early years of railroad development. In 1871, an additional nine miles were completed north to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin by the State Line and Union Railroad Company (SL&UR). This railroad became part of the E&SL in 1880, and the E&SL was consolidated into the Chicago & North Western Railway (C&NW) in 1883. The C&NW was beginning to construct and acquire a large network of railroads throughout the Midwest. In 1888, the C&NW funded a subsidiary, the Geneva & State Line Railway Company, to construct an additional 6 miles to Williams Bay, Wisconsin. The railroad would be consolidated into the C&NW in 1889, and the line would not be extended further.
This route served as a branch line for the C&NW, connecting industries in cities along the Fox River. The line also connected to an additional C&NW route at Genoa. The C&NW would become a prominent railroad in the Midwest, eventually building a system over 11,000 miles long. Throughout the 20th Century, the importance of this line diminished. The C&NW would abandon the line between Lake Geneva and Williams Bay in 1966; between Lake Geneva and Ringwood, Illinois in 1982; and between Crystal Lake and Elgin in 1983. In 1995, the C&NW would be purchased by Union Pacific Railroad. Today, Union Pacific continues to operate the Crystal Lake to Ringwood portion of the line as the McHenry Subdivision, which serves a couple of industries and commuter service to McHenry as an extension of the Metra Union Pacific-Northwest Line. In addition, the Fox River Trail utilizes the railroad grade between Elgin and Carpentersville; and the Prairie Trail uses and runs parallel to the grade between Carpentersville and the state line.
Located north of Carpentersville, this steel stringer bridge carries the former Chicago & North Western Railway over an unnamed ditch in the Fox River Shores Forest Preserve. The first bridge at this location was likely a timber pile trestle. In 1891, the bridge would be replaced by a steel girder or beam, constructed on stone substructures. In 1902, the bridge was replaced by the current structure. Currently, the bridge consists of a 16-foot steel stringer span, set onto stone abutments which were reused from the previous bridge. The stringer consists of a traditionally composed span, utilizing two lines of three beams. The abutments are constructed of limestone, possibly quarried at Mankato, Minnesota; where the C&NW had access to a large amount of stone. This type of bridge was commonly used by railroads, as it was durable and easy to construct. After abandonment of the railroad, the bridge was converted to serve the Fox River Trail. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition. Some separation and stone loss was noted on both abutments, and the superstructure is placed onto a timber bearing block, which appears to be in fair condition. The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
Citations
| Build date | Chicago & North Western Valuation Notes at the Chicago & North Western Historical Society Archives |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |