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Miscauno Island is a tiny island in the middle of the Menominee River, which in this area forms the state line between Michigan and Wisconsin. The island itself is within Wisconsin. There is also a tiny unnamed island immediately east of Miscauno Island. As such, the Menominee River splits into three channels in this area. In ca. 1904, the Wisconsin and Michigan Railroad decided to extend its railroad line over the Menominee River at this point, to connect their railroad to a logging company the railroad had purchased. Crossing the river at this point required three bridges to span the three channels of the river. These are the bridges seen today, presumed to have been built ca. 1904, coinciding with the railroad line's expansion. The western bridge is a through truss bridge. The middle bridge is also a through truss. The eastern bridge is a pony truss. The railroad company also had another idea, which was to construct a secluded resort on Miscauno Island, which would attract wealthy Chicagoans, by providing them an easy way to escape the city to a quiet rural location. The resort opened in 1905. The railroad company could then profit not only from the operation of the resort, but as the sole means of transportation to the island, could also profit from providing visitors with transportation. In an era before freeways and with motor vehicles just beginning to become common, it is not difficult to see how this could be profitable for the railroad. In 1923, the resort burned to the ground, but was rebuilt in 1925. Eventually, the railroad line was abandoned by trains. The bridges were converted for vehicular use to allow motor vehicles to visit the resort. The resort that stands today is the 1925 building, which has been restored in recent years. Originally called the Miscauno Inn, the resort is today called the Four Seasons Island Resort. The 1904 bridges, privately owned by by the resort, continue to be the only means of access to the island and resort and are in use by motor vehicles. Their heavy trusses, massive floorbeams and deck stringers, and narrow one-lane width all are reminders of this resort's railroad roots. The bridges also serve as visual gateways onto and off of the island. As railroad bridges, these truss bridges are far heavier in construction than highway bridges from 1904 would have been. The steel trusses remain in good condition today and are more than sufficient to handle the weight of resort visitors.
The Four Seasons Island Resort continues to operate today. It is a rare opportunity to experience the beauty of a restored historic resort building dating to 1925, and to experience what a vacation for wealthy Chicagoans in the early 20th Century would have been like. As mentioned, the bridges are owned by the resort, and are not owned by any public agency. The resort website has several photos that feature the bridges on it, suggesting that the resort recognizes the heritage and beauty these bridges contribute to the resort experience. By visiting the resort, which receives positive online reviews, you can support owners who have chosen to continue to preserve and use these historic bridges as functional crossings.
This bridge is nearly identical to the middle bridge to the island. It is a traditionally composed example of a pin-connected railroad through truss. Aside from the conversion of its deck to vehicular use, the bridge retains outstanding historic integrity with no alterations. The trusses themselves are essentially as they were when first built. The bridge is an excellent example of an early 20th Century railroad truss bridge.
The bridge's trusses today remain in good physical condition. Unlike the other two bridges, this bridge has a coat of paint on it, and also has newer guardrails that are mounted to the deck and protect the bridge's trusses from collision damage. Most visitors to the resort would arrive from the paved road that leads to this bridge from the west, since the road east of the island in Michigan is a long narrow dirt road. This fact is likely why this bridge seems to have received a little more attention than the other two bridges in the way of paint and railing.
Above: Aerial view of bridge, August 27, 2020. Click for enlargement. Photo Credit: Doug Heim, Angelcopter, LLC
Above: Aerial view of bridge, August 27, 2020. Click for enlargement. Photo Credit: Doug Heim, Angelcopter, LLC
Above: Aerial view of bridge, August 27, 2020. Click for enlargement. Photo Credit: Doug Heim, Angelcopter, LLC
This bridge is private property, but is open to anyone visiting the Four Seasons Island Resort.
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