Baraboo_Air_Line_Railroad

Baraboo Air Line Railroad

Baraboo Air Line Railroad

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The Baraboo Air Line Railroad was a railroad chartered in Wisconsin to join Madison, Wisconsin to Winona, Minnesota in 1870.[1] It became part of the Chicago and North Western Railroad route from Chicago to Winona, Minnesota. After abandonment by the C&NW, part of the Baraboo Air Line route became the first rail trail, the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. Currently, the line from Madison to Reedsburg is operated by the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad. The portion from Reedsburg to Elroy is now the 400 State Trail. The portion from Sparta through Medary is now the La Crosse River Trail.

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History

The railroad had its beginnings in a meeting in March 1865 to charter the "Madison, Lodi & Baraboo Valley Railroad Company."[2]

The line was charted on June 1, 1870, to join the Beloit & Madison Railroad in Madison, Wisoconsin to the La Crosse, Trempealeau & Presscott Railroad at Medary, also known as Winona Junction, near La Crosse. This would connect a though line of the Chicago and North Western Railroad with its subsidiary, the Winona and St. Peter Railroad. On March 10, 1871, it was consolidated with the C&NW.

By 1872, twenty miles were finished to Lodi, Wisconsin. The ridges between Elroy and Sparta were tunneled at great expense and with much difficulty.[3][4] The Baraboo Air-Line Rail Road connected to the LaCrosse, Trempealeau & Prescott Railroad at Winona Junction and opened for traffic in September 1873, through to Winona, Minnesota. In 1874, the C&NW reported an expenditure for its three tunnels of $476,743.32 and for the construction of 129 miles of railroad between Madison and Winona Junction of $5,342,169.96.[5]

References

  1. [1]
    Stennett, William H.. Yesterday and Today: A History of the Chicago and North Western Railway System. United States: Winship Company, Printers, 1910.
  2. [2]
    The History of Sauk County, Wisconsin: Containing an Account of Settlement, Growth, Development and Resources ... Biographical Sketches ... the Whole Preceded by a History of Wisconsin. United States: Western historical Company, 1880.
  3. [3]
    Sauk County Historical Society (2004). Baraboo. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 17–. ISBN 978-0-7385-3299-8.
  4. [4]
    ROSE CLARK (Juneau County Historian) - HISTORY COLUMN: Tales of the railroad Juneau County Star Times, February 27, 2019
  5. [5]
    The History of Sauk County, Wisconsin: Containing an Account of Settlement, Growth, Development and Resources ... Biographical Sketches ... the Whole Preceded by a History of Wisconsin. Western historical Company. 1880. pp. 178–.

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