The Branch Line
In July 1881 the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad built a branch line connecting Mazomanie with Sauk City and Prairie du Sac. The July 30 issue of the Mazomanie Sickle proclaimed the event with the headline: "Ho, for Sauk! Iron-way is Under Way." The story continued: "The peaceful dream of the frog in the big marsh is at an end. The fond hope of the Mazoite at last is to be realized."
The line was completed in six months at a cost of $180,749. The Sauk City German newspaper, the Pionier, exclaimed: "Finally, what we have waited 25 years for has finally arrived! Last Sunday, Dec. 11, the first train on the west side of the Wisconsin River entered Sauk City. In one or two more days the train will be at the depot location in the center of town."
Typical service consisted of one coach, one baggage car, and several freight cars. The train made the eighteen-mile round trip twice daily. In Prairie du Sac it became known as "Uncle Jake's Teakettle," named for Jacob Pugh, a local engineer, who drove the first train into Mazomanie in 1856 and who as later assigned to the branch line.
In 1942 the line was extended from Prairie du Sac into the Badger Ammunition Plant north of that village. At the same time, a wye was added at Mazomanie so that trains approaching from east or west could go directly onto the branch
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1881.
Location. 43° 10.536′ N, 89° 47.588′ W. Marker is in Mazomanie, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker is at the intersection of Brodhead Street (County Road Y) and American Legion Street, on the right when traveling south on Brodhead Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mazomanie WI 53560, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Mazomanie Depot (here, next to this marker); The Railroad in Mazomanie (here, next to this marker); The Mazomanie Downtown Historic District (here, next to this marker); The Flag on the Bluff (within shouting distance of this marker); Mazomanie (within shouting distance of this marker); The Turntable, The Engine House, The Water Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Crescent Street Factories, Mazomanie Blacksmiths, Coal Buildings (within shouting distance of this marker); Lynch and Walker Flouring Mill (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mazomanie.
Also see . . .
1. Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railway Company Brief History. (Submitted on October 27, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Milwaukee Road Historical Association Points of Interest. (Submitted on October 27, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 359 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on February 27, 2021, by Jim Schaettle of Madison, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on October 27, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on February 27, 2021, by Jim Schaettle of Madison, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on October 26, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
