Near La Farge in Vernon County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Bridge 13

Photographed by Fitzie Heimdahl, April 2, 2020

1. Bridge 13 Marker

Inscription. Bridge 13 is one of the few remaining examples of a metal truss bridge in Wisconsin. Referred to by engineers as a Warren Truss, this truss type is distinguished by its angled cross-members. Metal trusses became popular in the late 19th century for railroads and early 20th for automobiles, since the triangular geometric forms provide maximum rigidity, while using a minimum amount of material.

In the 1950s truss bridges were used for the majority of Kickapoo River crossings as they were easily disassembled and reassembled where needed. At one point, 17 of the 20 bridges in the 16-mile stretch from Ontario to La Farge were metal truss bridges. Bridge 13 was refurbished in 2017 through a cooperative agreement with the Ho-Chunk Nation, Kickapoo Reserve Management Board, and the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Erected 2018 by Kickapoo Valley Reserve. (Marker Number 574.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list.

Location. 43° 37.697′ N, 90° 37.307′ W. Marker is near La Farge, Wisconsin, in Vernon County. It is

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on Old Highway 131 Trail (County Road P), on the right when traveling north. Located at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: La Farge WI 54639, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rockton Mill Stones (approx. 1.4 miles away); St. Patrick Parish (approx. 5.4 miles away); The Kickapoo River Valley (approx. 5.7 miles away).

Regarding Bridge 13. Located on Old Highway 131 Trail it once supported vehicle traffic and now is used by trail walkers, runners, horseback riders and bicyclists.

Additional commentary.
1. Navigation
The trail to this marker is paved and ADA accessible, but closed to vehicle traffic. It is 0.5 miles from hwy C if coming from the south.

— Submitted May 2, 2026, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Photographed by Fitzie Heimdahl, April 2, 2020

2. Bridge 13 Marker

Photographed by Fitzie Heimdahl, August 13, 2019

3. Bridge 13 Marker

Photographed by Greta Schassler, May 2, 2026

4. Bridge 13 Marker

Bridge 13

Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2020, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,844 times since then and 85 times this year. Last updated on April 7, 2020, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 2, 2020, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on May 2, 2026, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.