On the east end, the line had to cross through the most difficult terrain in the state, often requiring following and crossing the Root River, as well as following valleys and hills. However, once past Spring Valley, the grading would become much easier.
By 1878, the line was extended from Winnebago to Flandreau, South Dakota, an additional 138 miles.
The following year, the line would reach into Sioux Falls. At the same time, in 1880, the Southern Minnesota Railroad would be purchased by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway.
The railroad changed its name to the Chicago, Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific Railway in 1928.
The Milwaukee Road was often times a poor railroad, and this accelerated its demise.
A major 100 mile section would be abandoned in 1980 from La Crescent to Ramsey, where it met another Milwaukee Road Mainline.
In addition, the portion west of Jackson to Sioux Falls would be abandoned the same year.
While typical abandonments include property either sitting with the railroad, or being reverted to landowners, this segment was different.
The portion from Ramsey to Dexter was kept in public hands, and from Dexter to Money Creek Woods was kept as a trail.
The Milwaukee Road was purchased by the Soo Line in 1985. Soo Line in turn sold this line to Iowa, Chicago & Eastern in 1997.
IC&E eventually came part of the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern, who in turn merged with Canadian Pacific in 2008. CP currently operates the line between Ramsey and Jackson.
06/16/22
Located east of Preston, this deck girder bridge carries the Root River Trail over a branch of Watson Creek and Ivy Road.
Originally built in 1925 as a single girder span approached by beams, a larger main span was added from Bridge #I-830 over the Fishing River near Mosby, Missouri in 1943. During the 1943 rebuild, the bridge was shifted to new substructures.
The span from Missouri was likely built in approximately 1900 to replace an older truss bridge. Research on this span is ongoing.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no significant deterioration noted.
The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.