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| Name | UP Keigley Branch Bridge Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge #D-2193 |
| Built By | Chicago & North Western Railway |
| Currently Owned By | Union Pacific Railroad |
| Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 20 Feet Total |
| Width | 1 Track (67 Feet) |
| Height Above Ground | 15 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Stone Arch |
| Substructure Design | Stone Masonry |
| Date Built | 1901 |
| Traffic Count | 2 Trains/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | In Use |
| Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge Number | D-2193 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 11/11/2016; 2/4/2017 |
In 1874, the Iowa and Minnesota Railway (I&M) began construction on a 37-mile narrow gauge railroad line, extending from Des Moines, Iowa to Ames, Iowa. The I&M was sold to the Des Moines and Minneapolis Rail Road (DM&M) in 1873, and the DM&M completed the line in 1874. In 1878, an additional 20 miles were completed between Ames and Callanan, Iowa, located south of present-day Jewell, Iowa. In 1879, the DM&M was leased to the Chicago & North Western Railway (C&NW). In 1882, the Toledo and Northwestern Railway (T&NW) constructed an additional 2 mile line between Callanan and Jewell, and also standard gauged the line. The T&NW also had been leased by the C&NW in 1879. In 1884, the DM&M was purchased by the C&NW; and in 1890, the T&NW was purchased by the C&NW. By the early 20th Century, the C&NW had developed into a significant railroad network in the midwest, with lines radiating north and west from Chicago. In particular, the C&NW developed dozens of secondary and branch lines in Iowa to serve agricultural industries and small towns. While the C&NW developed several predominantly east-west routes in Iowa, there were relatively few north-south routes. This line served as a secondary mainline, connecting several C&NW lines throughout central Iowa. North of Jewell, the line would extend to the Minnesota border town of Elmore, and connect to the C&NW-controlled Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway (Omaha Road).
In 1981, the C&NW purchased the better constructed Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad "Spine Line", which ran approximately 10 miles east of this line. In 1985, the line between Slater, Iowa and Ames was abandoned. In 1995, the C&NW was purchased by Union Pacific Railroad (UP). The segment between Ankeny, Iowa and Slater was abandoned in 2003, followed by a segment between the north side of Des Moines and Ankeny in 2012. Today, UP operates the segment between Ames and Jewell as part of the Jewell Subdivision, and the segment to the north side of Des Moines as the Ankeny Industrial Lead. A large section between the north side of Des Moines and Slater has been reused as part of the High Trestle Trail, a popular trail in central Iowa. Between Slater and Ames, the line has largely reverted to adjacent landowners, and has been converted to farm field use.
Located between Story City and Gilbert, this stone arch bridge carries a former Chicago & North Western Railway line over Keigley Branch. The first bridge at this location was a tall timber pile trestle, constructed when the line was first built. The original trestle was several hundred feet long, and stood high above the creek. During the early years of the 20th Century, the C&NW invested significant capital into this line, replacing timber bridges with heavier stone and steel structures. In the summer of 1901, the trestle was filled and the present bridge was constructed. Currently, the bridge consists of a 20-foot stone arch bridge, set onto stone substructures and constructed at a width of 67 feet. The bridge follows a standard design, with a semicircular arch and stepped wing walls which extend from the structure at an angle. Stone for the bridge consists of a yellow limestone, likely quarried at Mankato, Minnesota. While the contractor that constructed the bridge is unknown, it is possible that it was constructed by the Widell Company of Mankato, Minnesota; which supplied stone and constructed many of the stone bridges and culverts for the C&NW in the early 20th Century. One report indicates that this firm had the contract for all stone bridges along the Iowa Division in 1901 and 1902. Stone arches were popular for railroad use, as they were durable and easy to construct. Since the initial construction, the bridge has seen no significant alterations, and remains in use. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
Citations
| Build date | Chicago & North Western Railway Valuation Notes at the Chicago & North Western Historical Society Archives |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |