Near Cobban in Chippewa County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Cobban Bridge

Photographed By Fitzie Heimdahl

1. The Cobban Bridge Marker

Inscription. The Cobban Bridge, constructed in 1908 by the Modern Steel Structural Company of Waukesha, is a two-span Pennsylvania overhead truss type bridge and is the oldest of its kind in Wisconsin. Originally it crossed the Chippewa River just upstream from its junction with the Yellow River. The bridge was dismantled during the construction of the Wissota Dam in 1916, and through the efforts of Oscar Anderson, a Cobban store owner, the bridge was acquired to be placed on land donated by S.C.F. Cobban. During the winters of 1916 and 1917, the dismantled bridge was hauled here by horse and sled, with the movers receiving one dollar per ton for the fifteen mile trip. Footings were placed by the L.G. Arnold Company and reconstruction was done by Cromby and Thallacker of Milwaukee in 1918-19. The ferry that had provided a crossing to Cobban was discontinued, replaced by the Cobban Bridge, which was soon nicknamed the "Little Wagon Bridge."

Erected 1986 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 278.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 45° 6.353′ N, 91° 12.589′

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W. Marker is near Cobban, Wisconsin, in Chippewa County. Marker is on State Highway 178, 0.1 miles south of County Highway TT, on the left when traveling north. Marker is at a highway pull-off. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jim Falls WI 54748, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cornell Women's Club Tablet (approx. 4.4 miles away); Old Abe, the War Eagle (approx. 4.4 miles away); Cornell Pulpwood Stacker (approx. 4.9 miles away); Ezra Cornell (approx. 4.9 miles away); Pulpwood Stacker (approx. 4.9 miles away); Jean Brunet (approx. 4.9 miles away); Old Abe the War Eagle (approx. 5 miles away); Bohemian National Cemetery (approx. 5.2 miles away).

More about this marker. The one-lane bridge was to be closed in the early 1990s, but complaints from people who use the bridge frequently led to a reconsideration, and some repair work was done allowing it to stay open. The bridge is slated for replacement.

Also see . . . CStPM&O & CNW Cobban Wisconsin. "This old girder bridge still stands functionally today, has one lane traffic, and hardwood cross-plank roadbed with additional hardwood planks for the tire paths. As you walk or ride over on a bike, you can see the water beneath through the gaps in the wooden planks."

The Cobban Bridge and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, October 14, 2008

2. The Cobban Bridge and Marker

(Submitted on October 20, 2008.)

The Cobban Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, October 14, 2008

3. The Cobban Bridge

Photographed By Tami Carlson, July 24, 2013

4. The Cobban Bridge

Photographed By Tami Carlson, July 24, 2013

5. The Cobban Bridge

Another different angle of the bridge

Photographed By Tami Carlson, July 24, 2013

6. The Cobban Bridge Marker

Westbound Towards Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, October 14, 2008

7. Westbound Towards Bridge

Photographed By Keith L, October 14, 2008

8. The Cobban Bridge

Photographed By Keith L, October 14, 2008

9. The Cobban Bridge Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 3,004 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 23, 2021, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 2, 3. submitted on October 20, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 27, 2013, by Tami Carlson of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 7, 8, 9. submitted on October 20, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.