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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Near New Amsterdam in La Crosse County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes) |
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The McGilvray "Seven Bridges Road"
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By Keith L, October 7, 2009 | |
| | | 1. The McGilvray "Seven Bridges Road" Marker | | |
Inscription. In the early 1850s Scottish immigrant Alexander McGilvray established a small settlement and ferry service, both known as "McGilvray's Ferry," along the Black River. For the next forty years the ferry made seasonal river crossings despite frequent log jams. Local citizens repeatedly petitioned for a more dependable means to cross the river, and in 1892 La Crosse County erected the first in a series of wooden bridges on McGilvray Road. Unfortunately, the river's marshy waters and frequent floods soon rotted the wood. From 1905 through 1908, the La Crosse Bridge and Steel Company erected a series of steel bridges. Designed and patented by Charles M. Horton, these bowstring arch truss bridges incorporated "hook-clips" instead of rivets to fasten and strengthen structural members. Five of these rare bowstring truss bridges are found on McGilvray Road and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1975 the bridges became part of the Van Loon Wildlife Area. In 1997 an additional historic truss bridge was moved to this location.
Erected 1997 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 350.)
Location. 44° 1.274′ N, 91° 18.36′ W. Marker is near New Amsterdam, Wisconsin, in La Crosse County| | | | 
By Keith L, October 7, 2009 | |
| | | 2. The McGilvray "Seven Bridges Road" Marker | | |
. Marker is on Amsterdam Prairie Road 1.5 miles north of Great River Road (State Highway 35), on the left when traveling north. Click for map. Marker is along the shoulder of Amsterdam Prairie Road (Rustic Road 64). Parking lot and bridges are beyond the marker. Marker is in this post office area: Holmen WI 54636, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Decorah Peak (approx. 3.5 miles away); Downtown Galesville Historic District (approx. 4.8 miles away); Galesville (approx. 4.8 miles away); John F. Cance / Galesville Area Veterans Memorial (approx. 5 miles away); Ridge Avenue Historic District (approx. 5 miles away); Luther College (approx. 5.7 miles away); The Mississippi River Parkway: (approx. 6.1 miles away); French Post (approx. 8.3 miles away).
Also see . . . McGilvray/7 bridges Road web site. (Submitted on April 17, 2012, by Linda McMullin of Mindoro, Wisconsin.)
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By Keith L, October 7, 2009 | |
| | | 3. Nearby Plaques | Van Loon Area Truss Bridge Group has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior · 1980.
This property is listed in the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places · The State Historical Society of Wisconsin. | | |
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By Keith L, October 7, 2009 | |
| | | 4. Nearby Sign | | Van Loon Wildlife Area · 6 square miles managed for wildlife recreation · [Wisconsin] Department of Natural Resources. | | |
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By Keith L, October 7, 2009 | |
| | | 5. Old McGilvray Road | Approaching Bridge #1 on Old McGilvray Road.
Structure #80000146
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By Keith L, October 7, 2009 | |
| | | 6. Bridge #1 on Old McGilvray Road | | |
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By Keith L, October 7, 2009 | |
| | | 7. Old McGilvray Road | | Approaching Bridge #2 on Old McGilvray Road. | | |
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By Keith L, October 7, 2009 | |
| | | 8. Bridge #2 on Old McGilvray Road | | Structure #80000147 | | |
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By Keith L, October 7, 2009 | |
| | | 9. Two Span Low Steel Bowstring Arch Truss on Bridge #2 | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on October 14, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,221 times since then. Last updated on April 17, 2012, by Linda McMullin of Mindoro, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on October 14, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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