The next year, the line would be continued to Thayer, Kansas. By 1871, the line reached Cherryvale, in far southern Kansas.
In 1872, the line reached its southern terminus in Independence. The line would later be continued to Tulsa and further into Oklahoma.
The final segment of the railroad was constructed by the Southern Kansas Railroad.
By 1879, the LL&G became a part of the Kansas City, Lawrence & South Kansas Railroad; which was in turn bought by the Southern Kansas Railroad in 1883.
In 1888, all of these lines became a part of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. The ATSF had constructed a lot of track in the region.
Despite being a mainline for the ATSF for over a century, it would be removed from the system in 1990. From Ottawa to Iola, the railroad was abandoned; and later became the Prairie Spirit Rail Trail.
South of Iola, the line was sold to the South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad (SKOL). In 2017, SKOL continues to operate this section, which connects several other lines.
However, a small segment from Iola to Humboldt was abandoned and later converted to the Southwind Rail Trail.
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 1898 and is one of the oldest structures of this design.
The main span is a pin connected, Pratt Through Truss with 7 panels.
Approaching the bridge are three deck girder spans. Two are on the south approach, and one on the north approach.
In addition, several trestle spans approach on either end, to cross the wide flood plain of the Neosho.
The bridge rests on a combination of stone and wood substructures. The main piers in which the truss rest on have been encased in concrete.
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 the north.
| Upstream | MP Neosho River Bridge (Iola) |
| Downstream | ATSF Neosho River Bridge (Chanute) |