The Milwaukee & Northern Main Line – Hilbert Junction to Green Bay
The M&N began extending their main line north from Hilbert Junction, Wis., in 1872. Most of the 27 miles of grading and bridging had been completed by the end of the year. They started laying rail in the spring of 1873 and they reached Green Bay, Wis., on 6 June 1873. The first passenger train arrived on 19 June. Scheduled train service began on 25 June.
In 1874, the M&N constructed a bridge across the Fox River in order to extend their tracks from Green Bay into Fort Howard, Wis.
The majority of this stretch of the main line, save 2 miles of track from the Hilbert depot to Ott Rd., is now the Fox River State Trail.
Hilbert Junction, Wis., was Milepost 83 on an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 86 on later timetables.
Looking northwest toward the M&N depot and yard at Hilbert Junction, Wis. It is difficult to approximate the date, but it was likely captured between 1893 (when the M&N was taken over by the MILW) and 28 February 1910 (when this depot was destroyed by fire). Main St. bisects the scene in the foreground. A man is repairing the grade crossing. A locomotive, No. 716, rests near the depot on the Menasha Branch. A pair of passenger cars rest under the water tank on the passing siding. It is interesting to note two important differences between this photograph and the similar photograph to the right. The color of the depot seems to be different, and the water tank has been moved. Postcard from the MNRHS archives.
Looking northeast toward the M&N depot and yard at Hilbert Junction, Wis. It is difficult to approximate the date of this photograph. Seeing as the boxcar partially visible to the far right is stenciled for the CM&StP, we know that it was captured sometime between 1874 (when the name of the MILW was changed from M&StP to CM&StP) and 28 February 1910 (when this depot was destroyed by fire). The water tank has two spouts, so it could simultaneously fill locomotives on the main line and the Menasha Branch. The building partially visible to the right is the Geo. Walter Beer Depot. This image was captured by Nicholas ‘Nick’ Bruehl, a local farmer, historian, and prolific photographer whose negatives were acquired by the Oshkosh Public Museum in 1980. It is interesting to note two important differences between this photograph and the similar photograph to the left. The color of the depot seems to be different, and the water tank has been moved. Photograph Courtesy of the Oshkosh Public Museum.
The former MILW depot at Hilbert Junction, Wis., circa the 1960s. I had always hoped that this was the original ca. 1871 M&N depot, expanded and remodeled at some point. However, on 5 February 2022, I found an article in the 5 March 1910 Chilton Times which states that the old M&N depot burned to the ground on 28 February 1910. The MILW completed this new depot several months later. Photograph by Larry Easton, co-founder of the MNRHS.
The south and west walls of the former MILW depot at Hilbert, Wis., on 30 May 2020. I had always hoped that this was the original ca. 1871 M&N depot, expanded and remodeled at some point. However, on 5 February 2022, I found an article in the 5 March 1910 Chilton Times which states that the old M&N depot burned to the ground on 28 February 1910. The MILW completed this new depot several months later. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Forest Junction, Wis., was Milepost 88 on the M&N according to an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 91 on later timetables.
The Forest Junction union depot depicted below, the one which most people remember, was built in the southwest quadrant of the junction in 1887 to serve the M&N and Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western (MLS&W). It replaced the earlier depot which stood in the southeast quadrant of the junction, until it was destroyed by fire. The intersecting line, laid by the Appleton & New London (A&NL) in 1872, was purchased by the MLS&W shortly after it was completed. The MLS&W was purchased by the Chicago & North Western (C&NW) in 1893.
A family waits to board an approaching southbound MILW train at the MILW/C&NW (former M&N/MLS&W) union depot at Forest Junction, Wis., circa the 1930s or 40s. This view is looking northeast along the MILW (former M&N) right-of-way. Photograph courtesy of Forest Junction, WI, History and Memories, the Robert Haese Collection.
Looking northeast along the former M&N right-of-way at Forest Junction, Wis., on 17 May 2021. The diamond formed when the M&N crossed the A&NL, laid a year earlier, was at the center of this scene. The A&NL was soon sold to the MLS&W. The union depot stood to the left, on the west side of the M&N and the south side of the MLS&W. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
The MILW/C&NW (former M&N/MLS&W) union depot at Forest Junction, Wis., in 1942. This view is looking northwest along the C&NW (former MLS&W, originally A&NL) right-of-way. Photograph courtesy of Forest Junction, WI, History and Memories.
Looking northwest along the former right-of-way of the A&NL, later MLS&W, from the former M&N right-of-way, at Forest Junction, Wis., on 17 May 2021. The volleyball court straddles the former right-of-way. The union depot stood to the left, on the west side of the M&N and the south side of the MLS&W. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Holland Station, Wis., was Milepost 94 on the M&N according to an 1885 timetable.
Looking northeast along the former M&N right-of-way toward Wayside Rd. at Holland Station, Wis., on 17 May 2021. Some old maps depict a siding along the west side of main line. The south turnout was right about here, the north turnout was beyond Wayside Rd. The depot stood at Wayside Rd. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking southwest along the former M&N right-of-way toward Wayside Rd. at Holland Station, Wis., on 17 May 2021. Some old maps depict a siding along the west side of main line. The north turnout was right about here, the south turnout was beyond Wayside Rd. The depot stood at Wayside Rd. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Askeaton Station, Wis., was Milepost 96 on the M&N according to an 1892 timetable.
Looking northeast along the former M&N right-of-way from Hill Rd./Hwy. Z at Askeaton Station, Wis., on 17 May 2021. Some old maps depict a siding along the west side of main line from Hill Rd. to a point midway between the road and the bridge for a tributary of the East River. The depot was depicted near the north end of the siding on some maps, it stood at Hill Rd. on other maps. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking southwest along the former M&N right-of-way, toward Hill Rd./Hwy. Z at Askeaton Station, Wis., on 17 May 2021. Some old maps depict a siding along the west side of main line from Hill Rd. to a point midway between the road and the bridge for a tributary of the East River. This was the approximate location of the north end of the siding. The depot was depicted near the north end of the siding on some maps, it stood at Hill Rd. on other maps. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
De Pere, Wis., was Milepost 105 on the M&N according to an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 109 on later timetables.
I believe that this is the original depot erected by the M&N at De Pere, Wis., ca. 1873. If it is, it was remodeled and expanded at some point. This view is looking northwest from William St. Photograph by Larry Easton, co-founder of the MNRHS.