Hudson in Saint Croix County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Hudson Toll Bridge

By Keith L, June 10, 2011

1. Hudson Toll Bridge Marker

Inscription. The original interstate toll bridge which spanned the St. Croix River was officially opened for traffic June 14, 1913. It was privately owned by the St. Croix Bridge Company until 1917, when it became city property. For more than 35 years, it was popularly known as the Hudson Toll Bridge.

In 1936, Dr. Boyd T. Williams donated the lighted arch structure at the entrance to the Toll Bridge. The original cost was $1500. The arch was lighted until the Toll Bridge was abandoned in 1951, after a new bridge was built further south.

Through community efforts, the unique "Arch over the Old Toll Bridge" was relit on July 27, 1995, to serve as a unique historical welcome to the many visitors to Hudson.

Renovation made possible by Art Doyle's Spokes & Pedals · Bayside Neon · City of Hudson · Elizabeth Gund Hartl · Eric & Elizabeth Moline · Erickson Diversified · First National Bank of Hudson · Furniture World · Gagnon Construction · Gherty & Gherty, S.C. · Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau · John & Rebecca Kremer · Laser Magic · MidAmerica Bank of Hudson · Mitchell-Hanson Electric · Mr. & Mrs. Floyd Hartl in memory of Jill Hartil · Nor-Lake Inc · Northern States Power · Northland Electric · West Industries

Location. 44°

Hudson Toll Bridge Arch and Marker image. Click for full size.

By Keith L, June 10, 2011

2. Hudson Toll Bridge Arch and Marker

[east side] Looking towards the toll bridge causeway and Minnesota. The marker is attached to the right column.

58.493′ N, 92° 45.51′ W. Marker is in Hudson, Wisconsin, in Saint Croix County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Walnut Street and First Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at Lakefront Park. Marker is in this post office area: Hudson WI 54016, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. In the Summer of 1910 (within shouting distance of this marker); Louis Massey (approx. half a mile away); Bicentennial Monument (approx. 3.3 miles away in Minnesota); World War Memorial (approx. 3.4 miles away in Minnesota); The St. Croix River Valley / Welcome to Minnesota (approx. 3.4 miles away in Minnesota); Bolles Flour Mill (approx. 4.7 miles away in Minnesota); Lake St. Croix (approx. 4.9 miles away in Minnesota); Samuel Bloomer (approx. 5.2 miles away in Minnesota). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hudson.

Regarding Hudson Toll Bridge. The Saint Croix River crossing had a low bridge on the Wisconsin side, a half-mile long causeway, and a high toll bridge over the main channel at the Minnesota side. The toll bridge is gone, but pedestrians can still use the causeway. Power line poles are now along the causeway and at the former location of the toll bridge.

Also see . . .

Hudson Toll Bridge Arch image. Click for full size.

By Keith L, June 10, 2011

3. Hudson Toll Bridge Arch

[west side]

1. Toll Bridge (Old), Hudson, WI. Former US-12 Saint Croix River Crossing. (Submitted on June 30, 2011.)

2. Walnut Street Causeway Bridge. Former US-12 Saint Croix River Crossing. (Submitted on June 30, 2011.)

3. The Yellowstone Trail in Wisconsin. St. Croix County. (Submitted on June 30, 2011.)

Categories. • Bridges & Viaducts •

Hudson Causeway Approach image. Click for full size.

By Keith L, June 10, 2011

4. Hudson Causeway Approach

[looking west towards Minnesota]

By Keith L, June 10, 2011

5. Causeway

[looking east towards Hudson, Wisconsin]

Remaining Bridge Pier Foundations image. Click for full size.

By Keith L, June 10, 2011

6. Remaining Bridge Pier Foundations

The main river channel is beyond the power line poles.

Welcome Sign Photo image. Click for full size.

By Keith L, June 10, 2011

7. Welcome Sign Photo

Before the building of the Hudson toll bridge in 1913, the most convenient way to get across the St. Croix River was to take a ferryboat from Hudson to Lakeland, Minnesota. The rate for a "footman" was 25 cents. It was 75 cents for a horse and rider. The ferry pictured here was known as the "Louis O".

By Keith L, June 10, 2011

8. Welcome Sign Photo

The first St. Croix River Bridge was erected in 1912-1913 at a cost of less than $80,000, span and dike included. It was in use until 1951 when the new interstate bridge was opened to traffic. For 34 years revenues from the bridge were used for Hudson's civic improvements and for the reduction of real estate taxes.

Nearby Yellowstone Trail Signs image. Click for full size.

By Keith L, June 10, 2011

9. Nearby Yellowstone Trail Signs

The Yellowstone Trail, later U.S. 12, crossed the St. Croix River by way of the Hudson Toll Bridge.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on June 30, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,035 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on June 30, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.