The Milwaukee & Northern Main Line – Menominee River to Ontonagon

The Milwaukee & Northern (M&N) reached the Menominee River (the border of Wisconsin and Michigan) in 1886.

Fifty-eight miles of track were laid from the Menominee River to Champion, Michigan, in 1887. This section was completed, or opened, on 20 November 1887.

Construction of the main line continued northwestward, until the M&N reached the shore of Lake Superior at Ontonagon, Mich., in 1893.

Technically, the M&N reached the shore of Lake Superior on 1 October 1889, when the Ontonagon & Brule River (O&BR) extended their line from Rockland, Mich., to Sidnaw, Mich.

The O&BR had been controlled by the M&N almost since its inception, since at least 1881. Several M&N officers were major stockholders and officers of the O&BR. It was purchased by the M&N on 16 June 1890.

M&N passengers and freight could then travel from Champion, Mich., to Sidnaw via the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic (DSS&A), and then from Sidnaw to Ontonagon via the O&BR. The year of 1893 is given here as the year the M&N reached Lake Superior because that is when their passengers and freight could make the entire trip from Milwaukee to Ontonagon via their own rails (after their main line was extended from Channing, Mich., to Sidnaw). Scheduled train service commenced on 1 January 1893.

The M&N became the Superior Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul (CM&StP), or Milwaukee Road (MILW), on 1 July 1893. It reorganized as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific (CMStP&P) in 1928.

The majority of this portion of the main line is still active, operated by the Escanaba & Lake Superior (E&LS or ELS). The section from Rockland to Ontonagon was abandoned in 2009 and the rails have been removed.

Iron Mountain, Mich., was Milepost 208 on the M&N.

The former M&N depot at Iron Mountain, Mich. A notation on the slide suggests that it was photographed on 7 July 1986. This view is looking southeast from C St. Built ca. 1887, this depot was moved here, one block south of its original location, in 1914 and converted into a freight house when the new depot was constructed by the MILW. Photograph courtesy of the Rev. Herman Page Collection – Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

The former CM&StP, or MILW, depot at Iron Mountain, Mich., on 3 November 2018. This depot was built in 1914 at a cost of about $25,000. It replaced the original ca. 1887 M&N depot, which was moved one block to the south and converted into a freight house. Photograph by Tom Bruss.

Merriman, Mich., was Milepost 216 (some references state 215) on the M&N.

ELS 402 and ELS 502 lead a train across Merriman Rd. as they head south via the former M&N main line at Merriman, Mich. on 19 October 2021. Photograph by Tom Bruss.

Granite Bluff, Mich., was Milepost 217 (some references state 218) on the M&N.

ELS 501 leads a train approaching Johnson Rd. as it heads northwest via the former M&N main line at Granite Bluff, Mich., on 23 July 2021. It is awesome to encounter a former MILW locomotive plying former MILW rails. Photograph by Tom Bruss.

Randville, Mich., was Milepost 221 on the M&N.

The former CM&StP, or MILW, depot at Randville, Mich., circa 29 August 1994. This image was captured after the depot was moved from its original site and converted to a residence. Information regarding this depot has been elusive, so we are not certain if it was erected by the MILW or the M&N. Photograph courtesy of the Rev. Herman Page Collection – Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Sagola, Mich., was Milepost 228 on the M&N.

Looking southwest toward the MILW depot at Sagola, Mich., circa the 1950s. Postcard from the MNRHS Archives.

Channing (originally Ford Siding), Mich., was Milepost 232 on the M&N.

There are two depots, built end-to-end, at Channing. Reliable information regarding their construction has proven elusive, so far. We believe that the smaller, older, southern depot was erected in 1893 by the M&N. The newer, larger, northern depot was built by the MILW later, in or prior to 1907 (the earliest photograph we have seen). A couple of references claim that the older depot and adjoining yard were built in 1888. That claim is almost certainly erroneous. There was nothing here in 1888, there was no need for a yard or a depot. In 1892, when the name was changed from Ford Siding to Channing and a village sprouted, the depot was an old box car, as J. Parke Channing (the namesake of this community) later recalled. A newspaper article from 27 July 1893 proudly proclaimed that “a new and neat depot has just been completed.”

MILW 531 rests in front of the former M&N depot at Channing, Mich. (originally Ford Siding, Mich.), photographed circa 1912. This view is looking northward. Photograph courtesy of the Dickinson County Library and the Upper Peninsula Regional Digitization Center.

ELS 503 and ELS 402 rest in front of the former M&N depot at Channing, Mich., on 26 June 2021. This view is looking northward. Photograph by Tom Bruss.

The former MILW and M&N depots at Channing (originally Ford Siding), Mich., photographed circa June of 1972. This view is looking southeast. Photograph courtesy of the Rev. Herman Page Collection – Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Amasa (originally Hemlock), Mich., was Milepost 252 on the M&N.

This depot was erected by the M&N, likely in 1892, when the line was laid. Newspaper articles suggest the line was completed circa 1 December 1892, although it was not declared officially open (when scheduled trains commenced) until January 1893. That is probably why some references state the depot was built in 1893.

A MILW train rests in front of the former M&N depot at Amasa (originally Hemlock), Mich. This view is looking northeast. Photograph courtesy of the Rev. Herman Page Collection – Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

The south and west walls of the former M&N depot at Amasa (originally Hemlock), Mich., on 24 July 2021. Photograph by Tom Bruss.

The west wall of the former M&N depot at Amasa (originally Hemlock), Mich., on 17 October 2021. It was sunnier on this day than it was the last time I was here, so I was obligated to capture some better photographs. Photograph by Tom Bruss.

Park’s Siding (Parks Siding, Park Siding), Mich., would have been Milepost 263 on the M&N.

We have not, yet, found this location listed as a station on M&N, but it was a station on the MILW, since at least 1899.

Looking southeast along the M&N main line from Wide Waters Rd. at Parks Siding, Mich., on 24 July 2022. Photograph by Tom Bruss.

Looking northwest along the former M&N main line from Wide Waters Rd. at Parks Siding, Mich., on 24 July 2022. Photograph by Tom Bruss.

Sidnaw, Mich., was Milepost 279 on the M&N.

The former MILW/Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic (DSS&A) union depot at Sidnaw, Mich., circa 1910. This depot was built in 1909. This view, showing the MILW side is looking northeast from Ontario St. Photograph purchased from the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library.

Looking northeast from Ontario St. toward the site of the former MILW/Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic (DSS&A) union depot at Sidnaw, Mich., on 17 October 2021. This view shows the DSS&A side. These rails were laid in Sep. 1888 by the Marquette, Houghton & Ontonagon (MH&O). To the far right you can see the former M&N main line, laid in 1892. Photograph by Tom Bruss.

Looking northwest along the E&LS, former M&N, main line from Blaine St. at Sidnaw, Mich., on 17 October 2021. These rails were laid by the O&BR in 1889. Photograph by Tom Bruss.

Mass Station, Mich., would have been Milepost 304 on the M&N.

We’re not sure if this was a station on the M&N, but it was a station on the CM&StP, or MILW, since at least 1899.

The CM&StP, or MILW, depot at Mass Station, Mich., possibly circa the 1960s. This view is looking northeast. The M&N main line did not pass through Mass/Mass City proper, so this portion of the community near the depot was referred to as Mass Station or Lower Mass. This depot is similar to those erected at Grafton and Stiles in accordance with MILW plans dated November of 1898. Photograph courtesy of the Rev. Herman Page Collection – Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

The east wall of the CM&StP, or MILW, depot at Mass Station, Mich., in 1905. This view is looking northwest and appears to have been captured through the window of a coach. The M&N main line did not pass through Mass/Mass City proper, so this portion of the community near the depot was referred to as Mass Station or Lower Mass. This depot is similar to those erected at Grafton and Stiles in accordance with MILW plans dated November of 1898. Photograph courtesy of the Elma Lukkarita Collection- Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

CMStP&P/MILW 5925, pulling a coach, rests at the Mass Station, Mich., depot. This view is looking westerly. The 5925 was a gas-electric rail motorcar built by the Electro-Motive Corp. in 1928 (the body had been constructed by Standard Steel Car). These were commonly referred to as doodlebugs. It was 75’-11” long, weighed 73 tons, and was powered by a 6-cylinder, 275 horse-power engine supplied by the Winton Engine Co. This model was originally built with the Baggage-RPO configuration, meaning it had a baggage compartment and a Railway Post Office compartment. The date of the photograph is unknown to us, but it may have been captured circa the late 1940s or early 1950s, judging by the style of dress. This rail motorcar was in service until at least 1947, according to the only other photograph of it which we have seen. Photograph courtesy of the Rev. Herman Page Collection – Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Rockland, Mich., was Milepost 313 on the M&N.

This depot at Rockland, Mich., was built by the CM&StP, or MILW, circa 1900. This depot likely replaced the original depot erected by the O&BR when they reached Rockland in 1882. Photograph courtesy of the Roy Drier Collection – Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Ontonagon, Mich., was Milepost 325 on the M&N.

The current depot at Ontonagon, Mich., was built by the CM&StP, or MILW, circa 1896. This depot was built after the previous depot, along with most of Ontonagon, was destroyed when a devastating forest/swamp fire engulfed the village on 25 August 1896. This depot was expanded at some point. The previous depot was likely the original one built by the O&BR when the first 20 miles of that railroad were completed on 5 February 1882.

The southeast and northeast walls of the CMStP&P, or MILW, depot at Ontonagon, Mich., circa the 1970s. A Ford hi-rail (possibly MILW T479 or MILW 1479) is parked on this end of the depot. A snow plow rests along the northeast side of the depot. Photograph courtesy of the Earl Gagnon Collection – Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

The southeast and northeast walls of the former CM&StP, or MILW, depot at Ontonagon, Mich., on 17 October 2021. Photograph by Tom Bruss.

A Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic (DSS&A) passenger train, led by 4-4-0 No. 104, rests in front of the CM&StP, or MILW, depot at Ontonagon, Mich., circa the turn of the 20th Century. It must have been a special occasion, given the length of the train (at least 7 coaches) and the number of people posing in, on and next to the locomotive. An unknown photographer and his tripod-mounted camera stand atop the pilot. This photograph was likely captured between 1896 and 1908. The New Ontonagon Hotel, depicted in the background to the right, was built after the 1896 fire which destroyed most of Ontonagon. The building had been converted to a dry-goods store according to the 1908 Sanborn map. Someone who posted a nearly identical version of this photograph on the internet believes that this photograph was captured circa 1901, soon after the DSS&A initiated passenger service between Calumet and Ontonagon (in December of 1900). They ran from Calumet to Riddle Junction on their own rails, then continued on MILW rails from Riddle Junction to Ontonagon. That is a very logical and likely theory. However, given the history of cooperation between the two railroads, as well as the length of this train, this could just have likely been an excursion run before the DSS&A initiated regular passenger service. According to Aurele A. Durocher in his “The Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic,” Bulletin No. 111, The Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, DSS&A 104 was built by Baldwin in 1888 for the DSS&A. It was sold for scrap to the Duluth Iron & Metal Co. on 22 June 1933. Photograph courtesy of the Roy Drier Collection – Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

A CMStP&P, or MILW, F7 A-B-A set (led by 88C) rests in front of their depot at Ontonagon, Mich., on 14 May 1977. Photograph courtesy of the Daily Mining Gazette Collection – Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

A photograph of the CM&StP, or MILW, depot at Ontonagon, Mich., from an article in the Daily Mining Gazette on 8 November 1958. Tom believes that the awesome car parked next to the depot might be a 1954 Buick Super Riviera. Photograph courtesy of the Daily Mining Gazette Photograph Collection – Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

The southeast and southwest walls of the former CM&StP, or MILW, depot at Ontonagon, Mich., on 17 October 2021. The building in the background is Lake Shore Systems, Inc. The tracks used to run right to the shore of Lake Superior at the mouth of the Ontonagon River, to the left of the Lake Shore Systems, Inc., building. Photograph by Tom Bruss.

The absolute northern terminus of the M&N main line at the shore of Lake Superior, on the east bank of the mouth of the Ontonagon River, at Ontonagon, Mich., in 1887. A flatcar is spotted next to the Harvey Bissell. The Harvey Bissel, U. S. No. 11281, was built as a barquentine, or barkentine, at Toledo, Ohio, in 1866, and plied the Great Lakes for 39 years. It was converted to a 3-masted schooner in 1874. At some point it was converted to a 2-masted towbarge/schooner-barge. This photograph depicts it with two masts, but some references state the conversion was made in 1891. It was grounded near Bell, Mich., in a storm on 24 November 1905. On 27 November it was freed and towed to Alpena, where its cargo of lumber was salvaged. Then the Harvey Bissel was towed out into the bay and sunk. The building to the right is the Sisson & Lilly sawmill, with a massive pile of logs on its dock, on the west bank of the mouth of the Ontonagon River. The O&BR, later M&N, depot stands about half of a mile to the southeast, out-of-frame to the left. Uncredited photograph from Railway & Locomotive Historical Society, Bulletin No. 121, October 1969.

An advertisement for the M&N from the Souvenir Program of the 1888 National Republican Convention in Chicago, Ill.