Railroad Structures in Wisconsin

Well, I had some fun chasing haunted locations in Wisconsin and waterfalls in the region, so I thought it might be interesting and fun to go after railroad structures. Some people looking for a riding destination might have fun going to some of these locations to take a snapshot.



I have a GPS file with about 400 significant railroad structures waypointed. Riders can use the file to make some day rides to take photos of these structures and share them with the rest of us. The structures include a variety of depots, stations, round houses, towers, significant bridges, yards, interurban stuff, and the like. Most of the waypoints I created are spot on as I verified them using aerial imagery when I built the file. Some are a little indistinct and require some looking around. Some facilities have been moved a bit or converted to houses or other uses. Usually it is pretty easy to track things down since these are associated with existing or former railroad rights-of-way. If you find a location that needs correction, let me know and I’ll update the file.

There is a lot of history associated with some of these structures. At one time, railroads were the transportation backbone of the state.

It is also interesting to post a historic photo of the depot or facility from back in the heyday along with a photo of its current state. Old photos are easily found with a web search or on town historical society web pages.

I’ve created an index of sites by county and will indicate which sites have been covered by which inmate as pictures are posted. Feel free to add any existing photos you have. Together we will produce a pretty interesting collection of railroad history for Wisconsin!

Probably not the best idea to introduce this just as the usual riding season closes as the opportunities for a ride on clear roads are pretty infrequent for a while. Although the intent is that this will be done via motorcycle, no one will complain if you grab some of these while you are in another conveyance – including a boat.

Here are some overview maps. Every now and then I’ll post an update that changes waypoints from blue to green for those locations we have already documented.

Have fun!

Pan and zoom 1900 railroad map of Wisconsin.



Blue pins mean site has not yet been photographed for this thread. Green pins have been photographed, but may not have been posted yet. Red pins mean structure is now gone.

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A little safety review to remind us of potential hazards in pursuing some of these sites.

Most of these structures are no longer associated with active rail lines.

However, some are.

For those that might visit some of these locations to take photographs, it is important to understand the issues concerning trespassing on railroad property. Most developed facilities are well signed as to the limits of where a visitor is allowed. Railroad rights-of-way are generally not open to public travel and being on the property is trespassing.

When riding or stopping to take photos around railroads, safety is important. Here are some facts to consider:

-A person or vehicle is struck by a train on average about every three hours.

-In 2012, 908 pedestrians were injured or killed while walking on or near railroad tracks.

-In 2012, 1193 people were injured or killed at railroad grade crossings.

-Many towns have "no horn" ordinances so trains may not routinely give audible warning of their approach. Some trains, like Amtrak passenger trains, are relatively quiet as they approach. By the time you perceive the train, you may not be able to react in time to avoid problems.

-A typical freight train can take more than a mile to stop - even when applying emergency braking.

-It is never safe to stop closer than 15 feet from rails. A train is at least 3 feet wider than the rails.

-95% of rail-related deaths involve drivers trying to beat a train or people trespassing on the tracks.

-More than 50% of people injured or killed while trespassing on tracks have drugs or alcohol in their system.

-We all know that wearing protective headwear and earplugs may degrade our ability to perceive an approaching train at an "unprotected" grade crossing.

It is also important to recognize that some of the extant structures are now in the hands of private individuals and are not on public land with public access. Please respect private property in pursuing some of these structures.


256 of 417complete. (61%)

Removed previous GPX and replaced it with updated revision on 25 Jan 15.

Index 1 (Adams Through Fond du Lac Counties)

Adams County
Adams Coal Dock Cannonshot
Adams Depot Cannonshot
Adams Yard Cannonshot
Grand Marsh Depot Cannonshot




Ashland County
Ashland Soo Depot Cannonshot
Ashland Steam Engine Cannonshot
Ashland Soo Freight Depot Cannonshot
Ashland CNW Depot Cannonshot




Barron County
Barron Depot Cannonshot
Cameron Bridge Cannonshot
Dallas Depot Cannonshot
Rice Lake Depot Cannonshot
Rice Lake Mke Rd Bridge Cannonshot
Rice Lake Soo Bridge Cannonshot




Bayfield County
Cable Depot Cannonshot
Grandview Bridge 1 Cannonshot
Mason Depot Klasjm Cannonshot




Brown County
Green Bay Mke Rd Depot 1 Cannonshot
Green Bay Mke Rd Depot 2 Cannonshot
Green Bay CNW Fox Bridge Cannonshot
Green Bay CNW Depot Cannonshot
Green Bay Baird Creek Bridge Cannonshot
Green Bay Depot Nat RR Mus Cannonshot
North Green Bay GB&W Fox River Bridge Cannonshot
North Green Bay Roundhouse Cannonshot
North Green Bay Enginehouse Cannonshot
North Green Bay Yard Office Blue Mule




Burnett County
Danbury Maintenance Building Cannonshot
Danbury Bridge Klasjm Cannonshot
Siren Depot Cannonshot
Webster Depot Cannonshot




Calumet County
Chilton Freight Depot Cannonshot
Chilton Bridge Cannonshot
Hilbert Depot Cannonshot
Sherwood Depot Cannonshot




Chippewa County
Stanley Relocated Boyd Depot Cannonshot
Stanley Depot Cannonshot
Chippewa Falls Steam Engine 2 Cannonshot
Chippewa Falls Yard Cannonshot
Chippewa Falls Soo Bridges Cannonshot
Chippewa Falls CNW Bridge Klasjm
Chippewa Falls Irving Depot Cannonshot




Clark County
Colby Depot Cannonshot
Owen Soo Depot Cannonshot
Owen F&NE Depot Cannonshot
Tioga Depot Cannonshot
Willard Depot Cannonshot




Columbia County
Columbus Amtrak Depot Cannonshot
Columbus Mke Rd Depot Cannonshot
Doylestown Depot Cannonshsot
Merrimac Bridge Cannonshot
Pardeeville Depot Cannonshot
Portage Amtrak Depot Cannonshot
Portage Freight Depot Cannonshot
Portage Yard Cannonshot
Portage CN Office Cannonshot
Wisconsin Dells Amtrak Depot Cannonshot
Wisconsin Dells Bridge Cannonshot
Wyocena Depot Cannonshot Removed




Crawford County
Bell Center Depot
Bridgeport Bridge
Gays Mills Depot
Prairie du Chien BNSF Depot
Prairie du Chien Mke Rd Depot
Prairie du Chien Mke Rd Freight Depot
Prairie du Chien Maintenance Building
Wauzeka Kickapoo River Bridge




Dane County
Basco Depot Cannonshot
Belleville Depot TimCC Cannonshot
Black Earth Depot Cannonshot
DeForest Depot Cannonshot
Madison Mke Rd Depot TimCC Cannonshot
Madison Yard Cannonshot
Madison CNW Depot Cannonshot
Madison Round House Cannonshot
Madison Freight Depot Cannonshot
Marshall 1/3 Sized Railroad Cannonshot
Mazomanie Depot Klasjm
Middleton Depot Cannonshot
Morrisonville Depot Cannonshot
Stoughton Depot Cannonshot
Stoughton Depot 2 Cannonshot
Waunakee Depot Cannonshot





Dodge County
Atwater Depot Cannonshot
Beaver Dam Depot Cannonshot
Beaver Dam Shed Cannonshot
Clyman Junction Coal Dock Cannonshot
Fox Lake Depot Cannonshot
Hartford Steam Engine 1003 Cannonshot
Horicon Depot 1 Cannonshot
Horicon Depot 2 Cannonshot
Horicon Engine House Cannonshot
Juneau Depot Cannonshot
Knowles Produce Cannonshot
Lomira Depot Cannonshot
Rolling Prairie Depot Cannonshot




Door County
Sturgeon Bay Sawyer Depot freeflow
Sturgeon Bay A&W Depot freeflow
Sturgeon Bay A&W Freight Depot freeflow
Sturgeon Bay A&W Engine House Ted Ellis




Douglas County
Blueberry Depot Cannonshot
Gordon Freight Depot Cannonshot
Gordon Depot Cannonshot
Maple Depot Cannonshot
Saunders Tower
Solon Springs Depot Cannonshot
Superior NP Depot Cannonshot
Superior NP Maintenance Building Cannonshot
Superior Yard Cannonshot
Superior NP Freight Cannonshot
Superior NP Depot 2
Superior NP Enginehouse Cannonshot
Superior LST&T Enginehouse Cannonshot
Superior Soo Depot Cannonshot
Superior Soo Freight Cannonshot
Winneboujou Depot Cannonshot
Brule River Bride Cannonshot




Dunn County
Colfax Depot 1 Cannonshot
Colfax Depot 2 Cannonshot
Colfax Depot 3 Cannonshot
Colfax Steam Engine Cannonshot
Menomonie Depot 1 Cannonshot
Menomonie Depot 2 Cannonshot
Menomonie Bridge Cannonshot
Menomonie Junction Depot Cannonshot




Eau Claire County
Allen Depot Cannonshot
Altoona Depot Cannonshot
Eau Claire Mke Rd Bridge Cannonshot
Eau Claire Tower Cannonshot
Eau Claire N&NW Bridge Cannonshot
Eau Claire Soo Bridge Cannonshot
Eau Claire Tall Bridge Cannonshot
Eau Claire Chippewa Valley RR Cannonshot




Fond du Lac County
FDL CNW Depot Cannonshot
FDL Interurban Depot Cannonshot
FDL Engine Cannonshot
North FDL Depot Cannonshot
North FDL Shop Cannonshot
North FDL Yard Office Cannonshot
North FDL Caboose Cannonshot
North FDL Roundhouse papalobster
Malone Depot Cannonshot

Index 2 (Forest Through Marinette Counties)

Forest County
Crandon Depot Cannonshot
Laona Depot Cannonshot
Laona Steam Engine Klasjm




Grant County
Boscobel Depot
Cuba City Depot
Fennimore Depot Klasjm
Hazel Green Depot
Woodman Depot
Woodman Bridge




Green County
Brodhead Depot
Juda Depot
Martintown Depot
Monroe Depot
Monticello Depot Cannonshot
New Glarus Depot Cannonshot
Stewart Tunnel Cannonshot




Green Lake County
Berlin Depot Cannonshot
Green Lake Station Depot Cannonshot
Markesan Depot Cannonshot




Iowa County
Avoca Depot
Highland Depot
Mineral Point Depot
Ridgeway Depot




Iron County
Mercer Depot Cannonshot




Jackson County
Black River Falls Freight Depot Cannonshot
Black River Falls Steam Engine Cannonshot
City Point Depot Cannonshot
Hatfield Depot Cannonshot
Hixton Cannonshot
Millston Depot Cannonshot
Merrillan Depot Cannonshot
Merrillan Maintenance Cannonshot




Jefferson County
Jefferson Depot Cannonshot
Jefferson Junction Maintenance Building Cannonshot
Lake Mills Depot Cannonshot
Watertown Depot Cannonshot




Juneau County
Elroy Depot
Elroy Tunnel




Kenosha County
Kenosha IC Depot Cannonshot
Kenosha IS Depot Cannonshot
Kenosha CNW (Metra) Depot Cannonshot
Kenosha CNW Freight Depot Cannonshot
Kenosha Streetcar Cannonshot




Kewaunee County
Kewaunee Depot Cannonshot




LaCrosse County
LSE Soo Depot
LSE Black River Bridge
LSE Tower
LSE Steam Engine 4000
LSE Freight Depot
North LSE Depot
North LSE Yard




Lafayette County
Argyle Depot
Darlington Depot
Darlington Freight Depot
Dunbarton Depot
Gratiot Depot
South Wayne Depot




Langlade County
Antigo Depot Cannonshot
Antigo Steam Engine Klasjm, Cannonshot
Hollister Depot Cannonshot
White Lake Depot Cannonshot




Lincoln County
Tomahawk Mke Rd Depot Cannonshot
Tomahawk MT&W Depot Cannonshot
Tomahawk Steam Engine Cannonshot




Manitowoc County
Collins Depot Cannonshot
Manitowoc Steam Engine Cannonshot
Manitowoc SS Badger RR Ferry Cannonshot
Manitowoc CNW Bridge 1 Cannonshot
Manitowoc CNW Bridge 2 Cannonshot
Manitowoc Soo Bridge 3 Cannonshot
Manitowoc CNW Bridge 4 Cannonshot
Manitowoc Depot Cannonshot
Two Rivers Bridge Cannonshot




Marathon County
Athens Depot Cannonshot
Dancy Depot Cannonshot
Hatley Maintenance Building Cannonshot
Knowlton Bridge Cannonshot
Rothschild Interurban Cannonshot
Wausau Replica Depot Cannonshot
Wausau Mke Rd Depot Cannonshot
Wausau Freight Depot Cannonshot
Wausau CNW Depot Cannonshot




Marinette County
Amberg Depot Cannonshot
Cedarville Depot Cannonshot
Crivitz Depot Cannonshot
Marinette Mke Rd Depot Cannonshot
Marinette CNW Depot Cannonshot
McAllister Depot Cannonshot
Niagara Depot Cannonshot
Pembine Depot Cannonshot
Wausaukee Depot Cannonshot

Index 3 (Marquette through Sauk Counties)

Marquette County
Oxford Depot Cannonshot
Packwaukee Depot Cannonshot
Westfield Freight Depot Cannonshot
Westfield Line Shack Cannonshot



Menominee County
Keshena Steam Engine Cannonshot


Milwaukee County
Cudahy Depot Cannonshot
Butler Yard Cannonshot
Butler Engine House Cannonshot
Granville Replica Depot Cannonshot
Milwaukee CNW Tower Cannonshot
Milwaukee Mke Rd Depot Cannonshot
Milwaukee Mke Rd Menomonee River Bridge Cannonshot
Milwaukee CNW Menomonee River Bridge Cannonshot
Milwaukee CNW Kinnickinnic River Bridge Cannonshot
Milwaukee CNW Mke RIver Bridge Cannonshot
Milwaukee Lincoln Ave Freight Depot Cannonshot
Milwaukee Road Shops Cannonshot
Milwaukee Amtrak Cannonshot
Milwaukee Electric Interurban Cannonshot
South Milwaukee Depot Cannonshot
Wauwatosa Depot Cannonshot
Milwaukee River Bridge 57&Mill Cannonshot




Monroe County
Kendall Depot
Kendall Tunnel
Norwalk Tunnel 1
Norwalk Tunnel 2
Oakdale Depot Cannonshot
Sparta Depot
Tomah Amtrak Cannonshot
Tomah Maintenance Cannonshot
Tunnel City Depot Cannonshot
Tunnel City Tunnel Cannonshot




Oconto County
Stiles Junction Depot Cannonshot




Oneida County
Hazelhurst Depot Cannonshot
Rhinelander Steam Engine Cannonshot
Rhinelander CNW Depot 1 Cannonshot
Rhinelander CNW Depot (Monico Jct) Cannonshot
Rhinelander Soo Depot Cannonshot
Rhinelander Roundhouse Cannonshot
Three Lakes Depot Cannonshot
Woodruff Depot Cannonshot




Outagamie County
New London Depot Cannonshot
Seymour Depot Cannonshot




Ozaukee County
Cedarburg Freight Depot Cannonshot
Cedarburg Depot Cannonshot
Cedarburg Interurban Depot Cannonshot
Cedarburg Interurban Bridge Klasjm




Pepin County
Pepin Depot Cannonshot




Pierce County
Elmwood Depot Cannonshot
Hager City Bridge Cannonshot
Prescott Bridge Klay
Prescott Tower Klay




Polk County
Amery Soo Depot 1 Cannonshot
Amery Replica Cannonshot
Amery Soo Depot 2 (Joel Depot moved) Cannonshot
Dresser Depot Cannonshot
Frederic Depot Klasjm Cannonshot
Lewis Depot Cannonshot
Luck Depot Cannonshot
Osceola Depot Cannonshot




Portage County
Amherst Junction Depot Cannonshot
Plover GB&W Depot Cannonshot
Plover Soo Depot Cannonshot
Stevens Point Soo Depot and Maintenance Building Cannonshot
Stevens Point Roundhouse Cannonshot
Stevens Point Steam Engine Cannonshot




Price County
Kennan Depot Cannonshot
Park Falls Depot Cannonshot
Prentice Depot Cannonshot



Racine County
Burlington Depot Cannonshot
Caledonia (former Sturtevant) Depot Cannonshot
Racine Mke Rd Engine House Cannonshot
Racine CNW Depot Cannonshot
Racine CNW Depot 2 Cannonshot
Racine CNW Engine House Cannonshot
Racine Bridge Cannonshot
Racine RR Office Cannonshot
Racine Interurban Car Barn Cannonshot
Sturtevant Amtrak Cannonshot
Sturtevant Freight Cannonshot
Sturtevant Maintenance Cannonshot




Richland County
Gotham Depot
Richland Center Depot




Rock County
Avalon Depot
Edgerton Depot Cannonshot
Evansville Depot Cannonshot
Footville Depot
Janesville Yard Shack Cannonshot
Janesville Roundhouse Cannonshot
Janesville Freight Depot Cannonshot
Milton Depot Cannonshot
Milton Junction Depot Cannonshot
Orfordville Depot




Rusk County
Glen Flora Depot Cannonshot
Hawkins Depot Cannonshot
Ladysmith Depot Cannonshot
Ladysmith Steam Engine Cannonshot
Ladysmith Replica Depot Cannonshot
Weyerhauser Depot Cannonshot




St. Croix County
Cylon Depot (moved to Cameron) Cannonshot
Hudson Depot Cannonshot
Hudson Shops Cannonshot
New Richmond Depot Cannonshot




Sauk County
Baraboo Depot Cannonshot
Baraboo Circus World Train Barn Cannonshot
North Freedom (variety of stuff at RR museum) Klasjm
Reedsburg Depot Cannonshot
Sauk City Bridge Cannonshot
Prairie du Sac Depot Cannonshot

Index 4 (Sawyer through Wood Counties)

Sawyer County
Stone Lake Depot Cannonshot
Winter Depot Cannonshot




Shawano County
Eland Depot Cannonshot
Gresham Depot Cannonshot
Lyndhurst Depot Cannonshot
Mattoon Depot Cannonshot
Shawano CNW Depot Cannonshot
Shawano W&N Depot Cannonshot (torn down)




Sheboygan County
Elkhart Lake Depot Klasjm, Cannonshot
Elkhart Lake Depot 2 Cannonshot
Plymouth Mke Rd Depot Cannonshot
Plymouth CNW Depot Cannonshot
Random Lake Depot Cannonshot
Sheboygan CNW Depot Cannonshot
Sheboygan CNW Bridge Cannonshot
Sheboygan S&M Depot Cannonshot
Sheboygan CNW Freight Cannonshot
Sheboygan CNW Bridge 2 Cannonshot
Sheboygan Yard Cannonshot




Taylor County
Medford Depot Cannonshot




Trempeleau County
Blair Depot Cannonshot
Ettrick Depot Cannonshot
Whitehall Depot Cannonshot




Vernon County
Hillsboro Engine House
Viroqua Depot




Vilas County
Boulder Junction Depot Cannonshot
Eagle River Depot Cannonshot
Star Lake Depot Cannonshot




Walworth County
Darien Depot Cannonshot
East Troy Interurban Klasjm, Cannonshot
Elkhorn Depot Cannonshot
Pell Lake Depot Cannonshot
Springfield Depot Cannonshot
Walworth Depot Cannonshot
Whitewater Depot Cannonshot




Washburn County
Spooner Depot Cannonshot
Spooner Freight Depot Cannonshot
Spooner Roundhouse Cannonshot
Trego Maintenance Building Cannonshot




Washington County
Allenton Depot Cannonshot
Hartford Depot Cannonshot
Jackson Depot Cannonshot
Slinger Depot Cannonshot
West Bend Depot Cannonshot




Waukesha County
Brookfield Depot Cannonshot
Eagle Replica Depot Cannonshot
Genesee Depot Cannonshot
Hartland Depot Cannonshot
Menomonee Falls Depot Cannonshot
Nashota Depot Cannonshot
North Lake Depot (former Trevor depot) Cannonshot
North Prairie Depot Cannonshot
Oconomowoc Main Depot Cannonshot
Oconomowoc TMER&L Depot Cannonshot
Okauchee Depot Cannonshot
Sussex Depot Cannonshot
Waukesha CNW Depot Cannonshot
Waukesha Soo Depot Cannonshot




Waupaca County
Iola Depot Cannonshot
Marion Depot Cannonshot
Waupaca Depot Doctor Zed, Cannonshot
Waupaca Freight Depot Cannonshot




Waushara County
Coloma Depot Cannonshot
Wautoma Depot Cannonshot




Winnebago County
Appleton Steam Engine 736 Telulah Park Cannonshot
Neenah Mke Rd Depot Cannonshot
Neenah CNW Depot Cannonshot
Neenah CNW Bridge Cannonshot
Oshkosh CNW Depot Cannonshot
Oshkosh CNW Freight Cannonshot
Oshkosh CNW Bridge Klasjm (since replaced with new bridge) Cannonshot
Oshkosh Soo Depot Cannonshot
Winneconne Depot Cannonshot




Wood County
Marshfield Depot Cannonshot
Marshfield Steam Engine Cannonshot
Wisconsin Rapids Yard Cannonshot
Wisconsin Rapids Roundhouse Cannonshot

Oconomowoc had enjoyed passenger service beginning in 1854.


In 1896, the railroad built this elegant depot.


The depot served about 65 trains per day. Not so long ago, there was regular commuter passenger service to Milwaukee here, but that died off. For a while, the WI DOT restored temporary passenger trains during periods of significant freeway construction.


Oconomowoc was a destination for many that came to enjoy their luxury resorts. Oconomowoc was known as the "Newport of the West".


Presidents Cleveland, Harrison, Grant, Taft, Coolidge, McKinley, and Teddy Roosevelt visited.


The restaurant that now occupies the depot added a restored dining car a while back. Since the restaurant and dining car are located along an active main line, you experience the close passing of trains during your meal.


FOUR KILLED IN ACCIDENT.

THREE SCHOOL CHILDREN DIE IN MISHAP.

Oconomowoc, Wis., Jan. 16, 1921 (AP) -- Three school children and a motorist were killed during a sleet storm late today when a fast Milwaukee freight train struck an automobile carrying six children to their homes near the outskirts of Oconomowoc.

The three other children were injured and hospital attendants said one may die.

The dead:
E. M. CHAFFEE, driver of the car.
PAULINE DORNFORD, 13 years old.
ROSS DORNFORD, 7 years old.
An eight-year-old son of Jess Gleisner.
The injured were:
ERNEST SCHACHTLER, 8, who probably will die.
KATHERINE CHAFFEE, 7.

Seven-year-old daughter of Jess Gleisner.

Logansport Press Indiana 1921-06-14

Nice shots Jim! Looking forward to more.

Here is a shot of the Mazo depot back in the day.

A useful tip . . .

For those that might make their way around some of these small towns, I came across something useful.

I picked up a guide to ma & pa restaurants around Wisconsin. Restaurants are listed by county along with useful information like location, hours, and what they are known for food-wise. That by itself is good for me, but the bonus is that there are $630 worth of $5 dollar off coupons in the book. Makes it easy to recover your investment. Nearly all of the 2014 coupons in the original book have been extended through 2015 and there is a separate insert with new 2015 coupons.

I have no affiliation, but I do enjoy stopping in small town cafes in my travels so I thought I would pass along the info because it relates to activities like we have in this thread.

Overview map of the distribution of the restaurants.

Mason depot back in the day.