This short branch served the "boom town" of Deadwood, nestled in the heart of the Black Hills. While only nine miles long, the route was expensive.
Part of the expense was a large tunnel that was required near Deadwood. A narrow gauge line was to be continued from Deadwood, but was never finished.
By 1903, the route officially became a part of the Chicago & North Western Railway, as well as the line it connected to at Whitewood.
Because of the terrain of the area, as well as the "boom town" status of Deadwood, the railroad was abandoned in the 1960s. An exact date is unknown.
Today, portions of the former rail grade are known as Whitewood Creek Road.
06/26/21
This standard through girder bridge is the northern crossing of Whitewood Creek on Whitewood Creek Road.
Built in 1908 as a railroad bridge, the bridge was converted to road use when the railroad was abandoned.
Featuring a single through girder span, the bridge rests on stone abutments.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition.
The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is looking south across the bridge.