Charted as an 8 mile route east of Fort Dodge, the route connected coal mines in the area.
By 1885, it was made a standard gauge, and began consolidated operations with the Webster City and Southwestern Railroad, which operated from the existing route to Webster City.
In 1892, the CCR purchased the WC&SW. In 1893, the route would be extended to Fraser by the Boone Valley Coal and Railway Company.
Another railroad was formed in 1899, the Marshalltown and Dakota Railway, which planned to build from Marshalltown to South Dakota.
However, this route was never built. Despite this, the M&D completed a line from Fraser to Gowrie.
In 1901, the M&D name changed to the Boone, Rockwell City and Northwestern Railway. By 1904, routes would be opened to Newton from Fraser.
At the same time, the route to Rockwell City would also be completed.
In 1906, the Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern Railroad is incorporated to consolidate the numerous lines in the area. This route would become the largest interurban route in Iowa.
The railroad began to falter in 1930, and passenger service was reduced during World War II. Between 1968 and 1983, the route became part of the Chicago & North Western and several miles were abandoned.
In 1983, the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad would be started to begin operations on a several mile segment of track from Fraser to Boone, along the Des Moines River.
Since conception, the B&SV has grown considerably and has become one of the main attractions in Iowa.
09/09/21
While not as well known as the nearby Bass Point High Bridge, this bridge is also quite large.
Originally built in 1915 to replace an older wooden truss bridge, the bridge has changed little since being built.
However there is an exception. The north two spans were rebuilt in 1923, and likely rebuilt due to flooding issues, or even possibly to fill a trestle approach.
The bridge contains 8 main spans, set onto concrete substructures.
This bridge sits near a YMCA Camp, and can be accessed from this area.
Historic photo of the previous bridge. Credit to Photolibrarian on Flickr
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design and more modern age.
The photo above is an overview of the bridge.
| Upstream | C&NW Des Moines River Bridge (Stratford) |
| Downstream | New Kate Shelley High Bridge |