Property Record
RR over Menomonee River, E of Plankinton Ave.
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul RR Swing Bridge over Menomonee |
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| Other Name: | Menomonee River Swing Bridge |
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| Reference Number: | 116581 |
| Location (Address): | RR over Menomonee River, E of Plankinton Ave. |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1904 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19792023 |
| Historic Use: | overhead truss bridge |
| Architectural Style: | NA (unknown or not a building) |
| Structural System: | Swing Bridge |
| Wall Material: | Metal |
| Architect: | Lassig Bridge Works |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | 2023: This single-span bridge is of riveted steel construction and employs an overhead Warren truss that measures approximately 230 feet in length. It carries dual railroad tracks over the Menomonee River with concrete abutments at each end. As a bobtail swing bridge, the pivot point of the span is located at the southern end of the structure with a counterweight mounted to the superstructure above this to maintain balance. A shed-roofed operator’s shed is located along the west side of the bridge. The bridge is notable as one of Milwaukee’s remaining examples of a bobtail swing railroad bridge, a bridge design especially preferred by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad during the height of its operations and one that is a nationally rare bridge type. ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: Example of a triple intersection Warren truss swinging railroad bridge similar to 12-4-27a. |
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| Bibliographic References: |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |