- 1880: 24 miles completed from Eland to Wausau, Wisconsin by the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway
- 1892: 40 miles completed from Wausau to Marshfield, Wisconsin by the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway
- 1893: MLS&W purchased by Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1907: 61 miles completed from Eland to Duck Creek, Wisconsin by the Manitowoc, Green Bay & North Western Railway
- 1909: MGB&NW acquired by the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1981: Marshfield to Wausau segment abandoned
- 1994: Weston to Duck Creek segment abandoned and sold to Wisconsin DNR for trail use
- 1994: Remaining track in Wausau sold to Wisconsin Central, Ltd
- 1996: Mountain-Bay State Trail opens between Weston and Duck Creek
- 2001: Canadian National Railway acquires Wisconsin Central, Ltd
- 2001-Present: Canadian National Railway operates the remaining Wausau trackage
06/16/22
This span is by far the smallest on the island of bridges in Wausau, and crosses a back channel which separates Barker Island from Stewart Island.
Built around 1885 at an unknown location, the main span was later relocated here in 1914 after a flood presumably destroyed the old bridge.
Currently, the bridge consists of a single 72 foot long, 6-panel riveted Double Intersection Warren Pony truss. This span is approached by trestle spans, and the bridge sits on steel caisson and timber piles.
Research conducted at the Chicago & North Western Historical Society showed proposed blueprints for this bridge signed in 1912, although the plan was canceled. It appears that the plan was re-initiated after the flood of 1912.
During this time period, several trusses of similar design were replaced throughout the system and reused or relocated. Ten spans at Hudson, Wisconsin; three at Des Plaines, Illinois; four at Beloit, Wisconsin among many others were replaced in a period between 1911 and 1913.
However, most of these spans were built with standard lengths of 82 feet. It is possible that this bridge could have been cut down from the original length.
The Double Intersection Warren Pony truss was a favorite of both the "Omaha Road", as well as its parent, the Chicago & North Western. A majority of these lightweight structures were built between 1880 and 1890.
Simply built and economical, these trusses served as early versions of girders, and are even referred to as "lattice girders". When they were replaced on mainlines in the first two decades of the 20th century, many were relocated or rebuilt as road bridges.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition. It is hoped that someday this bridge will be preserved as a trail bridge.
The author has ranked this bridge as being highly significant, due to the relocated status of this truss bridge.
The photo above is looking from the east bank of the Wisconsin River towards the Island. The bridge can be seen from nearby trails.
Wisconsin River Railroad Bridges
| Upstream (East Channel) | Barker Island Trail Bridge |
| Downstream (East Channel) | Woodson Park Rail Bridge |