This award recognizes the contributions of an individual or organization to the field of historic preservation and preservation efforts in Wisconsin. The City of Eau Claire has received the 2023 Historic Preservation Award from the Wisconsin Historical Society for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Omaha Railroad Bridge ("High Bridge") Project.

About the Project

Historic Property:The High Bridge (aka, the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Omaha Railroad Bridge) features four quintuple intersection lattice deck truss spans each 180 feet in length and over 30 feet in depth. The superstructure is supported some 80 feet above the Eau Claire River by massive stone piers constructed of pillow cut limestone blocks.

The High Bridge was associated with early passenger rail service in Eau Claire and ended around 1912. The High Bridge was abandoned by the Chicago & NorthWestern in 1992. The City of Eau Claire took ownership in 2007. Recognizing the historic significance of the High Bridge, the need for a crossing at this location, and the outpouring of support from many citizens, the City chose to restore the bridge. The project cost $3.9 million. Buoyed by citizen activism and enthusiasm, the City Council funded the project with a combination of a fund balance, bonding, and budget reprioritization.

Description of Project: The sustained effort of the citizens of Eau Claire advocating for the preservation of the High Bridge and the response from City Planning Staff and City Council in recognizing the historic significance of this resource is deserving of this award. The Eau Claire Landmarks Commission designated the High Bridge as a local landmark in 2016. It has since been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. The City positioned a webcam that provided the public with live access of the restoration project. A local photographer took daily photographs and posted them on a Facebook page titled, "Keeping the History Alive." Local media outlets covered the whole process with many articles from the deliberation and decision making, through the construction project, and to the ribbon cutting.

The project is an integral part of a broad effort to revitalize downtown Eau Claire. For at least the next 30-50 years, the High Bridge will continue to be a vital part of the City's bike and pedestrian trail system. This is an exemplary example of historic preservation and collaboration of ordinary citizens, historic preservation professionals, municipal staff, and elected officials.

About the Preservation Award

This award recognizes the best work in protecting a threatened historic property in Wisconsin. The historic property may be a building, structure, object, site or district. Commendable community and individual efforts such as advocacy, fundraising, creation of a protective ordinance, physical stabilization, and repair will be recognized.

Learn More

• Learn about the Historic Preservation and Restoration Awards

  Learn how to nominate leaders for this award.

• Learn about the Board of Curators Awards