Property Record
ROOT RIVER @ UP RAILROAD
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | C&NW Railroad Bridge |
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| Other Name: | UP Railroad Bridge |
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| Reference Number: | 142248 |
| Location (Address): | ROOT RIVER @ UP RAILROAD |
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| County: | Racine |
| City: | Racine |
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| Year Built: | 1908 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2006 |
| Historic Use: | moveable bridge |
| Architectural Style: | NA (unknown or not a building) |
| Structural System: | Swing Bridge |
| Wall Material: | |
| Architect: | American Bridge Co. |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. This bridge was built in 1908 by the American Bridge Company. It has two short approach spans, between which is a swing bridge span that extends 246 feet. The central span is anchored to a cut stone pier in the middle of the Root River, with the gears and turning mechanism clearly visible. The bridge is constructed of both built up and rolled "I" beam components. Uniquely, this is a deck truss structure. It was noted previously in this report, when discussing the swing bridge across the Kinnickinnic River in Milwaukee, that "the State Historical Society has recognized the importance of old railroad bridges but notes that not enough study has been directed toward them. " This bridge is unique in that it is not only a railroad swing bridge, but it is a deck truss swing bridge. And it is thought to be the only such bridge of this type in the southeastern part of the state, if not the entire state. Further research is clearly warranted to determine what historic circumstances warranted a swing bridge of this magnitude at this location on the Root River, as well as if this engineering artifact is as unique in Wisconsin as is thought possible. |
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| Bibliographic References: |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |