- 1853: 20 miles completed from Beloit, Wisconsin to Belvidere, Illinois by the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad
- 1864: G&CU consolidated with the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1885: 76 miles completed from Belvidere to Spring Valley, Illinois by the Northern Illinois Railway Company
- 1885: Northern Illinois Railway Company purchased by the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1942: Caledonia to Sycamore segment abandoned
- 1976: Howe to Spring Valley segment abandoned
- 1981: Troy Grove to Howe segment abandoned
- 1984: Sycamore to DeKalb abandoned
- 1984: Sycamore to DeKalb abandoned
- 1988: South Beloit to Caledonia segment abandoned
- 1995: Chicago & North Western purchased by Union Pacific Railroad
- 1988-Present: Stone Bridge Trail uses the railroad grade from South Beloit to Caledonia
- 1995-Present: Union Pacific operates the Beloit Industrial Lead from Beloit to South Beloit
- 1995-Present: Union Pacific operates the Troy Grove Subdivision from DeKalb to Troy Grove
06/26/21
Located in Belvidere, this large deck truss bridge crosses the Kishwaukee River near the General Mills plant.
According to C&NW documents, the bridge was originally built in 1887. It consists of a pair of riveted double intersection Warren Deck Truss spans, set onto stone substructures.
Also according to the same document, the bridge was heavily rebuilt at some point. Based on design details, the truss is very similar to spans built in approximately 1902 by American Bridge Company. However, there are some slight differences which indicate at least the frame of this truss could be from 1887.
The truss bears the appearance of two spans, although it is actually only one. Continuous deck trusses for railroad use are unusual, and this should be considered one of only a few. A single vertical member connects the spans.
The author is currently researching this bridge further. Unfortunately, no information on the bridge has been found.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in excellent condition. It is a local attraction, and several people were in the viscinity of the bridge during the documentation.
The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design and unknown history.
The photo above is an overview.
| Upstream | Cherry Valley Rail Bridge |
| Downstream | UP Kishwaukee River Bridge |