Reminders of the Milwaukee & Northern - Champion Branch
The M&N completed their Champion Branch, from Channing, Mich., to Champion, Mich., in 1887.
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 Escanaba & Lake Superior (E&LS or ELS) uses the line from Channing to the Michigamme River (between Floodwood and Witch Lake) for car storage. The section from there to Republic still has rails, but it is quite overgrown and some grade crossings have been removed. The rails between Republic and Champion have been removed, and that section is now the Republic/Champion Grade Trail.
Channing, Mich., was Milepost 0 on the M&N Champion Branch.
This station was originally named Ford Siding. The name was changed to Channing, in honor of J. Parke Channing, circa November of 1892. He had completed some surveying in the area for 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 depot and adjoining yard were built in 1888. We believe that claim to be erroneous, although we are not absolutely certain. There was nothing here in 1888, a year after the rail line had been completed. There was no need for a yard or a depot here. In 1892, when the name was changed from Ford Siding to Channing, the depot was an old box car and there was little else here, as J. Parke Channing (the namesake of this community) later recalled. But the next year, when the extension from Channing to Sidnaw was completed and a new village sprouted at the new, important railroad junction, the M&N constructed a yard and a new depot to replace the old boxcar. A newspaper article from 27 July 1893 proudly proclaimed that “a new and neat depot has just been completed.”
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.
Looking south from Lake Ellen Rd. at the former M&N yard at Channing, Mich., on 26 June 2021. The track curving to the right is the north leg of the wye, which connects to the track heading toward Ontonagon. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking north from Lake Ellen Rd. at the former M&N yard at Channing, Mich., on 26 June 2021. The rails north of here are currently used for car storage. The track curving to the right is the junction with the original E&LS line to Wells, also currently used for car storage. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Floodwood, Mich., was Milepost 8 on the M&N Champion Branch.
It was listed as Milepost 240 on M&N timetables before the line from Channing to Sidnaw was completed.
Looking west along Khoury Rd. toward the former M&N rails at Floodwood, Mich., on 26 July 2424. The cars are stored on the main line, but there still is a passing siding here. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking northwest from Khoury Rd. toward the former M&N rails at Floodwood, Mich., on 26 July 2024. The cars are stored on the main line, but there still is a passing siding here. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking northwest from Khoury Rd. along the former M&N rails at Floodwood, Mich., on 26 July 2024. The boxcars are stored on the main line, the passing siding can be seen to the right. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking south from Khoury Rd. along the former M&N rails at Floodwood, Mich., on 26 July 2024. The boxcars in the background are stored on the main line, the passing siding can be seen to the left. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Witbeck, Mich., was Milepost 14 on the M&N Champion Branch.
It was listed as Milepost 246 on M&N timetables before the line from Channing to Sidnaw was completed.
Looking southwest toward the former M&N Witbeck Rd. grade crossing at Witbeck, Mich., on 25 July 2024. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking northeast along the former M&N rails from Witbeck Rd. at Witbeck, Mich., on 25 July 2024. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking southwest along the former M&N rails from Witbeck Rd. at Witbeck, Mich., on 25 July 2024. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Republic, Mich., was Milepost 22 on the M&N Champion Branch.
It was listed as Milepost 254 on M&N timetables before the line from Channing to Sidnaw was completed.
Looking southwest along Park City Rd. (originally Ely St.) toward the Republic Mine at Republic, Mich., on 25 July2024. The Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic (DSS&A), originally Marquette & Ontonagon (M&O), tracks ran parallel to this road to the mine. About midway between the camera and the gate, the former M&N and Chicago & North Western (C&NW) rails crossed this road and the DSS&A. They originally crossed via a bridge. At some point the bridge was removed and they crossed at grade. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking west from Park City Rd. (originally Ely St.) along the former M&N rails at Republic, Mich., on 25 July 2024. The rails can still be seen in the road and the vegetation. The depot stood to the left (south) of the tracks about 150 feet from the road. The Chicago & North Western (C&NW) depot stood behind me to the left. The Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic (DSS&A), originally Marquette & Ontonagon (M&O), depot stood about 800-900 feet to the right. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking east from Park City Rd. (originally Ely St.) along the former M&N rails at Republic, Mich., on 25 July 2024. The Chicago & North Western (C&NW) rails ran parallel here and their depot stood to the right on the far side of the road. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
The former MILW bridge over the Michigamme River at Republic, Mich., on 26 July 2022. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking southeast from the Republic Mine Overlook, Republic, Mich., on 26 July 2022. This mine was served by the M&N (later MILW), as well as the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic (DSS&A), Chicago & North Western (C&NW), and Lake Superior & Ishpeming (LS&I). Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Republic/Champion Grade Trail, Town of Republic, Marquette Co., Mich., on the M&N Champion Branch.
The first (approximately) two miles of the Republic/Champion Grade Trail, from Republic to Republic Junction, are also part of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail.
Looking east along the Republic/Champion Grade Trail on the edge of Republic, Mich., on 25 July 2024. This portion of the trail runs roughly parallel to the former M&N rails, because they are still in place here (partially visible in the overgrowth to the right). Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking northeast along the former M&N right-of-way at Co. Rd. LF at Town of Republic, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. This is where the actual rails end and the rail trail proper begins. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking southwest along the former M&N right-of-way at Co. Rd. LF at Town of Republic, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. This is where the actual rails end and the rail trail proper begins. The remnants of a spur cross the road and enter the gate for the mine property to the left. The trail from Republic is just out-of-frame to the right. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking north along the former M&N right-of-way at Town of Republic, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. This is the bridge over Bruce Creek and would have been circa Milepost 23.4 on the M&N. The bridge to the right, damaged by arson, was built by the Chicago & North Western (C&NW), which ran parallel to the M&N from Republic to Wabik. This bridge was later used by the Lake Superior & Ishpeming (LS&I). Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking northeast from the former M&N right-of-way at Town of Republic, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. This is the bridge over Bruce Creek and would have been circa Milepost 23.4 on the M&N. The bridge to the right, damaged by arson, was built by the Chicago & North Western (C&NW), which ran parallel to the M&N from Republic to Wabik. This bridge was later used by the Lake Superior & Ishpeming (LS&I). Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking northwest from the former M&N right-of-way at Town of Republic, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. This is the view from the bridge over Bruce Creek. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Republic Junction, Mich., was Milepost 24 on the M&N Champion Branch.
Three railroads once intersected here. The Chicago & North Western (C&NW) ran parallel and to the right of the M&N from Republic to Wabik. The Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic (DSS&A) crossed both here. This location was referred to as Republic Junction by the MILW, and, we presume, the M&N. It was referred to as DSS&A Crossing by the C&NW. It was referred to as Milwaukee Junction by the DSS&A. It was later also referred to as Republic Junction by the Lake Superior & Ishpeming (LS&I), after they completed their line to the Republic Mine utilizing a combination of the former DSS&A and C&NW right-of-ways. The junction straddles the border between the Town of Republic and the Town of Humboldt in Marquette County.
Looking north along the former M&N right-of-way at Town of Republic, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. This is the bridge over Bruce Creek and would have been circa Milepost 23.4 on the M&N. The bridge to the right, damaged by arson, was built by the Chicago & North Western (C&NW), which ran parallel to the M&N from Republic to Wabik (Wobik). This bridge was later used by the Lake Superior & Ishpeming (LS&I). Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking southwest along the former DSS&A right-of-way where it crossed the M&N and C&NW at Republic Junction, Mich., on 25 July 2024. This is also where the Republic/Champion Grade Trail and the Iron Ore Heritage Trail merge. The former travels from left to right. The latter curves to the left. The former DSS&A rails once continued straight ahead. An interlocking tower once stood to the right of the DSS&A on the far side of the M&N. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking southwest along the former M&N and C&NW right-of-ways at Republic Junction, Mich., on 25 July 2024. The DSS&A came in from the left, crossed the M&N and C&NW, and continued off to the right. This is also where the Republic/Champion Grade Trail and the Iron Ore Heritage Trail merge. The latter comes in from the left and joins the former, both continue straight ahead. An interlocking tower once stood to the right. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Republic/Champion Grade Trail, Town of Humboldt, Marquette Co., Mich., on the M&N Champion Branch.
Looking northeast along the former M&N right-of-way, now the Republic/Champion Grade Trail, where it skirts Tower Lake at Town of Humboldt, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking northeast along the former M&N right-of-way, now the Republic/Champion Grade Trail, at Town of Humboldt, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. This is a bridge over a tributary of the Black River. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking northwest from the former M&N right-of-way, now the Republic/Champion Grade Trail, at Town of Humboldt, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 Jul. ’24. This is a bridge over a tributary of the Black River. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking northwest along the former M&N right-of-way, now the Republic/Champion Grade Trail, at Hwy. 601, Town of Humboldt, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
A forsaken telephone pole lies in the water along the former M&N right-of-way, now the Republic/Champion Grade Trail, at Town of Humboldt, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
“Those pesky little beavers!” A recently felled birch tree lies along the former M&N right-of-way, now the Republic/Champion Grade Trail, at Town of Humboldt, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking northwest along the former M&N right-of-way, now the Republic/Champion Grade Trail, at Town of Humboldt, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. This is a bridge over a tributary of the Black River. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking southwest from the former M&N right-of-way, now the Republic/Champion Grade Trail, at Town of Humboldt, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. This is a bridge over a tributary of the Black River. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
A forsaken telephone pole lies in the water along the former M&N right-of-way, now the Republic/Champion Grade Trail, at Town of Humboldt, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking southeast from the former M&N right-of-way, now the Republic/Champion Grade Trail, at Town of Humboldt, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. This is a wide spot in a tributary of the Black River. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
A relic lies embedded in the former M&N right-of-way, now the Republic/Champion Grade Trail, at Town of Humboldt, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking northwest along the former M&N right-of-way, now the Republic/Champion Grade Trail, at Town of Humboldt, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. This is a bridge over a tributary of the Black River. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking west from the former M&N right-of-way, now the Republic/Champion Grade Trail, at Town of Humboldt, Marquette Co., Mich., on 25 July 2024. This is a bridge over a tributary of the Black River. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Champion, Mich., was Milepost 31 on the M&N.
It was listed as Milepost 263 on M&N timetables before the line from Channing to Sidnaw was completed.
The former site of M&N depot at Champion, Mich., on 26 July 2022. This portion of the M&N main line is now the Republic/Champion Grade Trail. The active rails are Canadian National (CN), historically Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic (DSS&A) rails, originally laid by the Marquette & Ontonagon (M&O) in 1865. According to an article in the Spring 1993 issue of The Soo, the former M&N depot was sold to the highest bidder in 1975. It was dismantled and the lumber was used to frame a house in nearby Clarksburg. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
The former MILW roundhouse at Champion, Mich., on 26 July 2022. We are not sure if this is the original M&N roundhouse, or one built later by the MILW. This portion of the main line, beyond the tree line to the right, is now the Republic/Champion Grade Trail. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Is this a roundhouse or an enginehouse? Some references refer to this structure as an enginehouse. Some people, including this web site’s administrator, share the belief that if the building is rectangular, with 90-degree corners, it’s an enginehouse. If the back wall of each stall is longer than the front wall of each stall, like on this building, it’s a roundhouse.