Also in 1880, the Southern Kansas & Western became a part of the Kansas City, Lawrence and Southern Kansas Railroad.
In 1883, the line became a part of the Southern Kansas Railway.
By 1885, the line would be extended another 43 miles to Chanute, at the junction of another mainline.
This additional line would be completed in 1887 by the Chicago, Kansas & Western Railway. Both of the railroads which built the Wellington-Chanute line would be leased by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway in 1888; and fully merged by 1899.
Despite being a rather important connection to the ATSF for nearly a century, the line would be sold in 1990 to the South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad.
The SKOL was sold numerous lines in Southern Kansas and Northern Oklahoma. Many of these lines were branch lines, and subsequently abandoned.
A portion of this line, between Fredonia and Chanute saw demise in 2000, when it would be abandoned.
Currently, the abandoned portion is part of the proposed Western Sky Trail; while the remainder of the line connects Wellington to Fredonia and is still operated by the SKOL railroad.
06/26/21
This bridge contains one of the most common through truss designs in Kansas.
These structures were built for the ATSF between 1898 and 1903. This structure was reportedly built in 1900.
The main span is a pin connected, Pratt Through Truss with 7 panels.
Approaching the bridge are single deck girder spans, one on either end.
The bridge rests on stone substructures, which date to the original construction of the structure.
The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the standardized and common nature of this structure, despite it being rather old.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge was accessed from Low Water Bridge Road.
| Upstream | MP Verdigris River Bridge (Toronto) |
| Downstream | UP Verdigris River Bridge (Neodesha) |