Sturgeon Bay in Door County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Old Bridge
Photographed By Robert L Weber, November 23, 2008
1. The Old Bridge Marker
Inscription.
The Old Bridge. . In pioneer times, private boats and commercial ferries were used to cross the waters of Sturgeon Bay. In 1887 the crossing became considerable [sic] easier when John D. Leathem and Thomas H. Smith completed a toll bridge consisting of a wooden plank road on a timber pile trestle and a center pivoting truss bridge to allow for boat passage. Tolls charged for crossing the bridge included "75˘ for threshing outfits," "25˘ for team and rider" and "5˘ per head for foot passengers.", In 1891, the Ahnapee and Western (A and W) Railway received grants totalling $76,000 from the City and County to construct a line to Sturgeon Bay. A rail crossing was completed in 1894 by attaching tracks to the toll bridge and constructing a new western rail approach., The City purchased the toll bridge from Leathem and Smith in 1911 and operated it until 1931 when the present Michigan street bridge was built to accommodate the increased automobile traffic. The rail portion of the toll bridge was turned over to the A and W which in 1946 reinforced the deteriorating western approach with earth and rock fill, creating the present embankment extending into the bay., In 1968 the rail line was abandoned, and the old truss bridge and remaining trestle, a serious hazard to navigation, were removed in 1973. The earthen embankment lay dormant until 1987 when a grant from the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program enabled the city to improve the embankment for public enjoyment.
In pioneer times, private boats and commercial ferries were used to cross the waters of Sturgeon Bay. In 1887 the crossing became considerable [sic] easier when John D. Leathem and Thomas H. Smith completed a toll bridge consisting of a wooden plank road on a timber pile trestle and a center pivoting truss bridge to allow for boat passage. Tolls charged for crossing the bridge included "75˘ for threshing outfits," "25˘ for team and rider" and "5˘ per head for foot passengers."
In 1891, the Ahnapee and Western (A & W) Railway received grants totalling $76,000 from the City and County to construct a line to Sturgeon Bay. A rail crossing was completed in 1894 by attaching tracks to the toll bridge and constructing a new western rail approach.
The City purchased the toll bridge from Leathem and Smith in 1911 and operated it until 1931 when the present Michigan street bridge was built to accommodate the increased automobile traffic. The rail portion of the toll bridge was turned over to the A & W which in 1946 reinforced the deteriorating western approach with earth and rock fill, creating the present embankment extending into the bay.
In 1968 the rail line was abandoned, and the old truss bridge and remaining trestle, a serious hazard to navigation, were removed in 1973. The earthen embankment lay dormant
Click or scan to see this page online
until 1987 when a grant from the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program enabled the city to improve the embankment for public enjoyment.
Erected 1987 by The City of Sturgeon Bay.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.
Location. 44° 49.87′ N, 87° 23.043′ W. Marker is in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, in Door County. Marker can be reached from N.Madison Ave.. Near Bayview Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sturgeon Bay WI 54235, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. The Old Bridge Marker and Lake Freighter at Bay Shipbuilding
Photographed By Robert L Weber, June 12, 2011
3. The Old Bridge Marker and downtown bridge under repair
Photographed By Robert L Weber, June 12, 2011
4. Walkway going out to the end of the point
Photographed By Robert L Weber, June 12, 2011
5. View of Bay Shipbuilding from the end of the point
Photographed By Robert L Weber, June 12, 2011
6. View of the old downtown bridge from the point
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2011, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. This page has been viewed 638 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on June 23, 2011, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 13, 2011, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.