- 1848: Began grading 17 miles from Beloit to Magnolia, Wisconsin by the Beloit and Madison Railroad
- 1860: 17 miles completed from Beloit to Magnolia, Wisconsin by the Beloit and Madison Railroad
- 1870: 29 miles completed from Winona Junction, Wisconsin to Winona, Minnesota by the La Crosse, Trempealeau and Prescott Railroad
- 1870: 129 miles started from Madison to Winona Junction, Wisconsin by the Baraboo Air Line Railroad
- 1871: Chicago & North Western Railway acquires the Baraboo Air Line Railroad
- 1873: 129 miles completed from Madison to Winona Junction, Wisconsin by the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1874: Chicago & North Western Railway acquires the Beloit and Madison Railroad
- 1877: Chicago & North Western Railway acquires the La Crosse, Trempeleau and Prescott Railroad
- 1886: 4 miles completed from Meadery to La Crosse, Wisconsin by the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1896-99: Segment between Evansville and Elroy double tracked and improved
- 1953-56: Double track mostly removed
- 1964: 33 miles abandoned from Elroy to Sparta, Wisconsin and purchased by Wisconsin DNR for future trail use
- 1965: First rail-trail in the United States opens between Elroy and Sparta
- 1976: Sparta to Winona and Meadery to La Crosse segments abandoned. Wisconsin DNR acquires land for trail use
- 1977: Beloit to Evansville segment abandoned
- 1979: Winona to Trempeleau segment acquired by Wisconsin DNR
- 1985: Reedsburg to Elroy segment abandoned and acquired by Wisconsin DNR
- 1980s: Onalaska to Trempeleau segment opens as Great River State Trail
- 1980s: Onalaska to Sparta segment and La Crosse Branch open as La Crosse River River State Trail
- 1993: 400 State Trail opens between Reedsburg and Elroy
- 1995: Chicago & North Western purchased by Union Pacific Railroad
- 1996: Union Pacific leases the Fitchburg-Reedsburg segment to the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad
- 1999: Fitchburg-Evansville segment abandoned, sold to City of Fitchburg and City of Oregon
- 2014: State of Wisconsin purchases the Madison-Reedsburg line from Union Pacific Railroad
- 2014: Wisconsin & Southern Railroad begins operations from Fitchburg to Oregon
- 1996-Present: Wisconsin & Southern Railroad operates the Madison-Reedsburg line
- 2014-Present: Wisconsin & Southern Railroad operates the Fitchburg-Evansville line, although it is still out of service
06/26/21
This beautiful stone arch bridge is one of the several such arches along the Elroy-Sparta Trail, and crosses a livestock path.
Built in 1879, the bridge is in near mint condition, with little to no defects anywhere. The stonework is absolutely stellar as well, and was quarried at Mankato, Minnesota.
The bridge is the 5th arch, heading west to east along the Elroy-Sparta Trail.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in great condition. Virtually no major deterioration was noted.
The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the older age and great condition.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be seen from WI-71.