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| Name | CNW Elgin Corrugated Box Company Driveway Bridge Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge #601 |
| Built By | Chicago & North Western Railway |
| Currently Owned By | Union Pacific Railroad |
| Superstructure Contractor | American Bridge Company of New York |
| Substructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 20 Feet Total |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 10 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Steel Stringer |
| Substructure Design | Concrete |
| Date Built | 1912 |
| Traffic Count | 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Abandoned) |
| Current Status | Abandoned |
| Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge Number | 601 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 7/31/2015 |
In 1854, the Fox River Valley Railroad (FRV) constructed 36 miles of new railroad line, extending between the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad line at Elgin, Illinois; north to Genoa, Wisconsin. In 1860, the FRV became part of the Elgin & State Line Railroad (E&SL). This railroad was one of a number of branch lines constructed in northeast Illinois during the early years of railroad development. In 1871, an additional nine miles were completed north to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin by the State Line and Union Railroad Company (SL&UR). This railroad became part of the E&SL in 1880, and the E&SL was consolidated into the Chicago & North Western Railway (C&NW) in 1883. The C&NW was beginning to construct and acquire a large network of railroads throughout the Midwest. In 1888, the C&NW funded a subsidiary, the Geneva & State Line Railway Company, to construct an additional 6 miles to Williams Bay, Wisconsin. The railroad would be consolidated into the C&NW in 1889, and the line would not be extended further.
This route served as a branch line for the C&NW, connecting industries in cities along the Fox River. The line also connected to an additional C&NW route at Genoa. The C&NW would become a prominent railroad in the Midwest, eventually building a system over 11,000 miles long. Throughout the 20th Century, the importance of this line diminished. The C&NW would abandon the line between Lake Geneva and Williams Bay in 1966; between Lake Geneva and Ringwood, Illinois in 1982; and between Crystal Lake and Elgin in 1983. In 1995, the C&NW would be purchased by Union Pacific Railroad. Today, Union Pacific continues to operate the Crystal Lake to Ringwood portion of the line as the McHenry Subdivision, which serves a couple of industries and commuter service to McHenry as an extension of the Metra Union Pacific-Northwest Line. In addition, the Fox River Trail utilizes the railroad grade between Elgin and Carpentersville; and the Prairie Trail uses and runs parallel to the grade between Carpentersville and the state line.
Located on the south side of Elgin, this small steel stringer bridge carries an abandoned Chicago & North Western Railway line over a driveway of the former Elgin Corrugated Box Company. Built in 1912, the bridge consists of a single 20-foot steel stringer span, set onto concrete abutments. The bridge was constructed to cross a private driveway of the Elgin Butter Tub Company, which owned a manufacturing facility at Bluff City Boulevard and Raymond Street. The superstructure was fabricated by American Bridge Company, and the substructure was constructed by an unknown contractor. The main span of the bridge consists of eight evenly space beams, which are covered by concrete deck panels. This design of bridge was popular with railroads throughout the United States, as it was durable and easy to construct. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with no significant deterioration. The railroad line and surrounding property are both abandoned, and it is unknown what will happen to the land. The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
Citations
| Builder and build date | American Bridge Company plaque |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |