The Milwaukee & Northern - Menasha Branch
The Menasha Branch was completed in 1871, when 16 miles of track were laid from Hilbert Junction, Wis., to Menasha, Wis. The branch was extended to Appleton in 1880 and Neenah in 1881. By the mid-1880s, the Menasha, Appleton and Neenah Branches were collectively referred to as the Appleton Branch on timetables.
It was the Appleton Branch of the Superior Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul (CM&StP), or Milwaukee Road (MILW), after they took over the M&N in 1893.
After the Soo Line (SOO) purchased the MILW in 1985, about 4,000 feet of the original M&N main line and yard between Manitowoc St. and Milwaukee St. in Menasha became redundant and was torn up. The remainder of the Menasha Branch is still in use, currently operated by the Canadian National (CN).
Scroll down to find information regarding the Menasha Branch. Use these buttons to find information regarding extensions of the Menasha Branch and a customer on the line.
Hilbert Junction, Wis., was Milepost 0 on the Menasha Branch.
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.
Sherwood, Wis., was Milepost 6 on the Menasha Branch.
The circa 1899 Milwaukee Road (MILW) depot at Sherwood, Wis. This depot replaced the original 1873 M&N depot, which was struck by lightning and burned circa September 1899. 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. We believe this photograph, looking northwest from the Military Rd. grade crossing, was captured shortly after this depot was built. Photograph Courtesy of the Oshkosh Public Museum.
A Canadian National (CN) local, led by IC 3138, approaches Military Rd. as it heads southeast with 16 cars via the former M&N Menasha Branch at Sherwood, Wis., on 8 January 2021. To the right you can see the 1956 Milwaukee Road (MILW) depot. This depot, a remnant of the former freight house, replaced the circa 1899 depot. This depot was used by MILW and Soo Line (SOO) until 17 September 1971, when they were granted permission to close it. It has been moved a short distance for use as an outbuilding on a farm. The Sherwood Elevator is partially visible to the left. It has been owned, operated, and expanded by the Kress family since they purchased it in 1951. Their grain terminal has a capacity of 1 million bushels. Unfortunately the elevator has not received rail service for quite a while. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Menasha, Wis., was Milepost 15 (16 on some timetables) on the Menasha Branch.
The circa 1872 M&N depot at Menasha, Wis., photographed circa the 1960s. The enginehouse can be seen in the background at left. This view is looking southeast from Racine St. This depot was wantonly obliterated by the City of Menasha on 9 November 1995. For what? For part of a parking lot for yet another Walgreens store. Photograph by Larry Easton, co-founder of the MNRHS.
The former M&N enginehouse at Menasha, Wis., photographed circa the 1960s. This view is looking northwest. Photograph by Larry Easton, co-founder of the MNRHS.
The circa 1872 M&N depot at Menasha, Wis., photographed circa the 1970s. This view is looking southeast from Racine St. This depot was wantonly obliterated by the City of Menasha on 9 November 1995. For what? For part of a parking lot for yet another Walgreens store. Photograph courtesy of the Menasha Public Library.
