Near North Freedom in Sauk County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mid–Continent Railway Historical Society

Photographed by Keith L, June 7, 2009

1. Mid–Continent Railway Historical Society Marker

Inscription. Mid-Continent Railway Historical Society has operated steam trains at North Freedom since 1963 preserving early 1900s railroading history. The museum runs vintage rolling stock on a branch line opened in 1903 to serve iron mines. Its collection of historic equipment includes the 1907 Chicago & North Western locomotive No. 1385, which is a rare survivor of the smaller steam trains that were once a common sight in Wisconsin. The equipment collection of Mid-Continent also shows skillfully crafted and decorated wood passenger and freight cars. Mid-Continent portrays the golden age of railroading, when railroads brought economic prosperity to many Wisconsin communities.

Erected 2001 by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. (Marker Number 461.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1963.

Location. 43° 27.649′ N, 89° 52.43′ W. Marker is near North Freedom, Wisconsin, in Sauk County. It can be reached from West Walnut Street / Museum Road 0.3 miles west of Maple Street (County Highway I / PF), on the right when traveling west. West Walnut Street becomes Museum Road. Marker is by the concession building across from the depot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: E8948 Museum Road, North Freedom WI 53951, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Madison.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country.

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 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies: Vodak Memorial Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Van Hise Rock (approx. 2.9 miles away); a different marker also named Van Hise Rock (approx. 2.9 miles away); Clare A. Briggs – Cartoonist (approx. 5.7 miles away); First Permanent Home in Baraboo (approx. 6 miles away); The Ringling Bros. and Baraboo, Wisconsin Circus Heritage (approx. 6.6 miles away); Baraboo River (approx. 6.6 miles away); Sauk County Civil War Monument (approx. 6.6 miles away).

Also see . . . Mid-Continent Railway Museum. (Submitted on June 14, 2009.)

Photographed by Jim Schaettle, July 7, 2019

2. Mid–Continent Railway Historical Society Marker

Photographed by Jim Schaettle, July 7, 2019

3. Mid–Continent Railway Historical Society Marker

Looking west, Depot in background.

Photographed by Keith L, June 7, 2009

4. Mid–Continent Railway Historical Society Marker

Marker at its original location.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, October 13, 2014

5. Mid–Continent Railway Historical Society Marker

Marker was re-installed at its original location. It came down a few years later.

Mid–Continent Railway Historical Society Marker in storage image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Eric Kuntz, October 14, 2017

6. Mid–Continent Railway Historical Society Marker in storage

The marker was stored for many years in the Car Repair shop at the museum. It was re-erected near the concession building in 2019.

North Freedom Depot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 7, 2009

7. North Freedom Depot

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,349 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 14, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 2, 3. submitted on July 7, 2019, by Jim Schaettle of Madison, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on June 14, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 5. submitted on October 15, 2014, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. 6. submitted on June 26, 2018, by Eric Kuntz of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. 7. submitted on June 14, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.