By 1885, the Council Grove, Osage City and Ottawa Railway built an additional 70 miles from Ottawa to Council Grove.
Together, these 90 miles of rail line served as a connector through the Flint Hills of Kansas.
In 1855, the Topeka, Salina and Western Railroad built to the west county line of Dickinson County.
The Missouri Pacific Railway in Kansas would complete the line to Salina later that year.
In 1880, the St. Louis, Kansas and Arizona was merged into the Missouri Pacific Railway.
By 1891, the Council Grove, Osage City and Ottawa Railway, the Topeka, Salina and Western Railway as well as the Missouri Pacific Railway in Kansas all merged into the Kansas and Colorado Pacific Railway.
By 1909, the Kansas and Colorado Pacific Railway was merged into the Missouri Pacific Railway, which reorganized as the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1917.
This line was a Missouri Pacific mainline; until the mid 1980s when the MP abandoned the Osawatomie to Herington segment of the line.
By 1996, the MP abandoned another large portion of this line between Hope, Kansas and Salina. By 1997, the MP was bought by rival Union Pacific.
There is one small section of this line that is still active, between Herington and Hope. This is known as the Hope Industrial Lead. The remainder of the line west of Herington is part of the Flint Hills Nature Trail; an incomplete rail trail through some of the most scenic areas of Kansas.
06/26/21
This large through truss bridge crosses the Marias des Cygnes River near the west side of Ottawa, Kansas.
The bridge was built in 1903 as a three span structure, to replace a flood damaged bridge.
Of a common design, the main span is a Warren Through Truss with 6 panels and riveted connections. This span is approached by through girder spans.
The entire bridge rests on concrete substructures, which have been rehabilitated during the trail construction.
The truss is a massive span, of heavy construction for the time period. The walkway on top is a signature design, and the bridge in general is considered a landmark in the area.
The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the newer construction period and the common design.
The photo above is an overview.
| Upstream | Pomona Rail Bridge |
| Downstream | Ottawa Trail Bridge (E) |