Reminders of the Milwaukee & Northern Main Line – Schwartzburg Junction to Hilbert Junction
The M&N constructed the first 77 miles of their main line, from Schwartzburg Junction, Wis., to Hilbert Junction, Wis., in 1870 and 1871.
It 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.
Most of this portion of the main line is still active. The Wisconsin & Southern (W&S or WSOR) operates from Schwartzburg Junction to Kiel. The Canadian National (CN) operates from Kiel to Hilbert Junction.
Brown Deer, Wis., was Milepost 11 on an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 14 on later timetables.
Looking northeast along the former M&N main line from W. Brown Deer Rd./Hwy. 100 at Brown Deer, Wis., on 13 March 2021. It is difficult to imagine that there used to be a depot and passing siding here. The passing siding was to the right (east), the depot to the right of that, and the interurban right-of-way ran to the right of the depot. Otto’s Wine & Spirits is partially visible to the left. Seeing as I used their parking lot to walk to the grade crossing, I felt obligated to show my gratitude by making a purchase there. After all, we have to support local, small businesses at every opportunity. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking southeast along the former M&N main line from W. Brown Deer Rd./Hwy. 100 at Brown Deer, Wis., on 13 March 2021. It is difficult to imagine that there used to be a depot and passing siding here. The passing siding was to the left (east), the depot was behind me to the east of the siding, and the interurban right-of-way ran to the east of the depot. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Cedarburg, Wis., was Milepost 19 on an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 23 on later timetables.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 3894 and WAMX 3895, crosses Portland Rd. as it heads northeast via the former the M&N main line at Cedarburg, Wis., on 13 March 2021. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 3894 and WAMX 3895, passes the station sign as it heads northeast via the former M&N main line at Cedarburg, Wis., on 13 March 2021. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking northeast from Portland Rd. along the former M&N main line at Cedarburg, Wis., on 11 February 2021. The original depot stood here, to the left of the main line. When a new depot was built by the Milwaukee Road (MILW) in 1907, the old depot was converted into a freight house. At some point a new depot/yard office was built, the white building just left of center. Then the 1907 depot was moved to the Ozaukee County Historical Society’s Pioneer Village in the Town of Saukville on 24 January 1983. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking southwest from Portland Rd. along the Canadian National (CN) rails at Cedarburg, Wis., on 11 February 2021. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Grafton, Wis., was Milepost 22 on an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 25 on later timetables.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 4219, parallels 9th Ave. and approaches Wisconsin Ave. as it heads northeast with 21 cars via the former M&N main line at Grafton, Wis., 15 May 2024. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 4219, crosses Wisconsin Ave. as it heads northeast with 21 cars via the former M&N main line at Grafton, Wis., 15 May 2024. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 3894 and WAMX 3895 crosses Beech St. as it heads northeast with 9 cars via the former M&N main line at Grafton, Wis., on 13 March 2021. The depot stood just out-of-frame to the right, north of Beech St. on the west side of the main line, with a passing siding on the east side of the main line. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Saukville, Wis., was Milepost 26 on an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 29 on later timetables.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 4219, crosses Church St., parallels Railroad St., and approaches the station sign as it heads northeast with 21 cars via the former M&N main line at Saukville, Wis., 15 May 2024. The depot would have been visible to the right. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 3894 and WAMX 3895, crosses W. Church St., parallels S. Railroad St., and passes the station sign as it heads northeast via the former the M&N main line at Saukville, Wis., on 13 March 2021. The station sign marks the approximate location of the depot. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 3894 and WAMX 3895, parallels S. Railroad St. as it heads northeast via the former the M&N main line at Saukville, Wis., on 13 March 2021.
Looking north along the former M&N main line from W. Church St. at Saukville, Wis., on 11 February 2021. The station sign marks the approximate location of the depot. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking south along the former M&N main line from W. Church St. at Saukville, Wis., on 11 February 2021. Saukville Feed Supplies stands at right. We are not sure if they currently receive rail service. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Fredonia, Wis., was Milepost 32 on an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 36 on later timetables.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 3894 and WAMX 3895, heads north with 9 cars via former M&N main line at Fredonia, Wis., on 13 March 2021. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Random Lake, Wis., was Milepost 38 on an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 41 on later timetables.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 4219, crosses 2nd St. as it heads northwest with 21 cars via the former M&N main line at Random Lake, Wis., on 15 May 2024. The depot would have been visible to the left (the station sign is just out-of-frame). Photograph by Tom Bruss.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 3894 and WAMX 3895, passes the west end of 3rd St. as it heads north with 9 cars via former M&N main line at Random Lake, Wis., on 13 March 2021. The train had picked up speed and arrived before I could decide where I wanted to shoot it from. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Adell, Wis., was Milepost 43 on an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 46 on later timetables.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 4219, approaches Hwy. I as it heads northeast with 21 cars via the former M&N main line at Town of Sherman, Sheboygan Co., Wis., on 15 May 2024. When it hits Hwy. I it will be within the village limits of Adell, Wis. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Waldo, Wis., was Milepost 47 on an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 50 on later timetables.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 4219, crosses 1st St./Hwy. V/Hwy. 28 as it heads north with 23 cars via the former M&N main line at Waldo, WI, on 15 May 2024. They picked up cars at Adell. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 3894 and WAMX 3895, crosses 1st St./Hwy. V as it heads north with 9 cars via former M&N main line at Waldo, Wis., on 13 March 2021. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Blueberry Ln., Town of Lyndon, Sheboygan Co., Wis., would have been circa Milepost 48, later Milepost 51, on the M&N.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 4219, heads northwest with 23 cars via the former M&N main line at Town of Lyndon, Sheboygan Co., Wis., on 15 May 2024. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Plymouth, Wis., was Milepost 52 on an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 55 on later timetables.
The former MILW depot and former Chicago & North Western (C&NW) depot rest side-by-side at Thayer St. in Plymouth, Wis. Both of these depots were built in 1912, after the earlier union depot was destroyed by fire. The former MILW depot is owned by the W&S (or WSOR). The C&NW depot has been a restaurant since 1973, currently home to PJ Campbell’s at the Depot. The C&NW rails were originally laid by the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac (S&FdL) in 1859.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 4219, crosses Reed St. as it heads northwest with 5 cars via the former M&N main line at Plymouth, Wis., on 15 May 2024. A grain warehouse which once belonged to J. H. Timm & Co. (1910 Sanborn map) peeks above the train. They had an elevator just north of this building. The former MILW and former C&NW depots can be seen in the background to the right. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 3894 and WAMX 3895, approaches Thayer St. as it passes the former MILW depot at Plymouth, Wis., on 13 March 2021. The train has just returned from Sheboygan Falls and is transitioning from the former Chicago & North Western (C&NW) rails to the former M&N rails. The former C&NW depot is partially visible beyond the train. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
A W&S (or WSOR) train, led by WAMX 3894 and WAMX 3895, crosses Thayer St. via the former M&N main line at Plymouth, Wis., on 13 March 2021. The train has just returned from Sheboygan Falls. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Elkhart Lake, Wis., was Milepost 59 on an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 62 on later timetables.
The northeast and northwest walls of MILW depot at Elkhart Lake, Wis., on 15 July 2014. It was built in 1897, in the Queen Anne style, to replace the original 1871 M&N depot (out-of-frame to the right). The MILW closed the depot in 1968. The Elkhart Lake Historical Society organized in 1969 with the goal of acquiring and preserving the depot; they purchased it from the MILW in 1970 for $5,000. After some restoration, it opened as a museum and gift shop on 27 June 1971. On 13 June 1976, the depot was recognized as an official Sheboygan County landmark. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
The southwest and southeast walls of the 1871 M&N depot at Elkhart Lake, Wis., on 30 May 2020. Some references state that it was built in 1870, others say 1872. It is currently home to Off the Rail, a café at 44 Gottfried St. Some references state that the depot was moved to this spot for use by the feed mill after the 1897 MILW depot (out-of-frame to the right) was completed. We hope to find additional information in order to confirm, or refute, that belief. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
The northwest and southwest walls of the 1871 M&N depot at Elkhart Lake, Wis., on 30 May ’20. It is currently home to Off the Rail, a café at 44 Gottfried St. Some references state that the depot was moved to this spot for use by the feed mill after the 1897 MILW depot (partially visible in the background to the right) was completed. We hope to find additional information in order to confirm, or refute, that belief. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
A W&S (or WSOR) crew approaches Hwy. A/Hickory Ln./Kettle Moraine Scenic Dr. as it sorts cars at the passing siding along the former M&N main line parallel to Hwy. 67/Lincoln St. at Elkhart Lake, Wis., on 17 October 2015. The train had three locomotives, WSOR 3809, WSOR 3813, and WSOR 3803. The main line from Elkhart Lake to Kiel is primarily used for freight car storage now. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Kiel, Wis., was Milepost 65 on an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 68 on later timetables.
Looking southeast at Fremont St., toward the former site of the 1916 MILW, depot at Kiel, Wis., on 30 May 2020. When the depot was closed circa 1969, the MILW offered to sell the building for $2,000 and rent the land under it for $160 per year. A local resident expressed the desire to purchase it, fix it up, and wait for someone interested in using it. We haven’t learned how that turned out or what ultimately happened to the depot. There was a station sign here up until a couple of years ago, the post still stands in the background to the left of the platform. The historic J. B. Laun Lumber Co. stands at the far left. Jacob B. Laun purchased an existing lumber yard from Fredrick Griebenow and William Reseburg in 1884. The awesome cream-colored brick building, designed by Walter F. Neumann, was built in 1924 (according to wisconsinhistory.org.). We haven’t learned when the lumber yard closed, but it operated until at least 1998. The 1871 M&N depot stood just out-of-frame to the right, on the other side of the main line. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
The 1916 MILW depot at Kiel, Wis., in 1969. The depot was closed by this time. This view is looking southeast from Fremont St. Image courtesy of the Heritage Collection at Kiel Public Library.
Hayton, Wis., was Milepost 73 on an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 77 on later timetables.
Sometimes listed as Hayton Station, because the depot was about half of a mile southwest of Hayton proper.
Looking southeast along the former M&N main line at Hayton, Wis., on 30 January 2021. The former H. C. Timm & Co. elevator stands at left. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Looking northwest along the former M&N main line at Hayton, Wis., on 30 January 2021. We believe the depot stood here. Some old maps depict it on the north side of the tracks, others depict it on the south side. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Chilton, Wis., was Milepost 75 on an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 79 on later timetables.
This community was originally named Stantonville, in honor of Moses Stanton, the founder. The land was purchased by John Marygold in 1852 and he intended to change the name to Chilington, his hometown in England. He sent a request to the county seat, then Stockbridge, to make the name change official. A miscommunication resulted in the middle syllable being lost to history and the name became Chilton.
Chilton Depot
We have not found definitive information, yet, but we believe the current freight house might be the original depot built by the M&N circa 1871. This freight house dates to at least 1892, according to the Sanborn maps. The maps suggest it was moved about 600 feet to the southeast, its current location, and converted to a freight house after a new passenger depot was built near the original depot site between 1910 and 1914. That second depot is no longer extant. If this is the original depot, an addition was constructed at some point between 1871 and 1892.
The southeast wall of the former MILW freight house at Chilton, WI, on 26 July 2015. Scroll up to read some information about this freight house. The facility looming in the background belongs to Kaytee Products, Inc. Scroll down for some more information about Kaytee. Photograph by Richard Hopfensperger.
The southwest and northwest walls of the former MILW freight house at Chilton, WI, on 26 July 2015. This view is looking northeast from Adams St. Scroll up to read some information about this freight house. Photograph by Richard Hopfensperger.
A 3-bay covered hopper spotted at Briess Malting & Ingredients Co. at Chilton, WI, on 26 July 2015. This facility was erected by the Chilton Malting Co. in 1901. Briess acquired the Chilton Malting Co. in 1978. This view is looking southwest from Pennsylvania Ave. Photograph by Richard Hopfensperger.
A CN train, led by Illinois Central IC 3137, crosses the South Branch of the Manitowoc River as it heads southeast via the former M&N main line at Chilton, WI, on 26 July 2015. This view is looking northwest from E. Grand St. Photograph by Richard Hopfensperger.
A CN locomotive, Illinois Central IC 3137, passes behind the former MILW freight house as it prepares to switch a customer at Chilton, WI, on 26 July 2015. This view is looking east from Adams St. Scroll up to read some information about this freight house. Photograph by Richard Hopfensperger.
A CN train, led by Illinois Central IC 3137, approaches S. Columbia St. as it switches Briess Malting & Ingredients Co. at Chilton, WI, on 26 July 2015. This facility was erected by the Chilton Malting Co. in 1901. Briess acquired the Chilton Malting Co. in 1978. This view is looking southwest from Pennsylvania Ave. Photograph by Richard Hopfensperger.
The spur for Briess Malting & Ingredients Co. takes quite a meandering, serpentine route, as seen at Chilton, WI, on 26 July 2015. The southeast corner of the former MILW freight house is partially visible the background. The far half of this spur was laid by the M&N to serve the lumber yard of the Dorschel, Schultz & Co. Sash, Door & Blind Factory (a portion of which still stands out-of-frame to the left). This view is looking northeast from Pennsylvania Ave. Photograph by Richard Hopfensperger.
A CN local, led by Illinois Central IC 3137, approaches the former MILW freight house as it prepares to service a couple of industries at Chilton, Wis., on 26 July 2015. The facility looming to the right belongs to Kaytee Products, Inc. Scroll down for some more information about Kaytee. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
A CN local, led by Grand Trunk Western GTW 4924, pauses in front of the former MILW freight house as it services Kaytee Products, Inc., at Chilton, Wis., on 20 November 2020. Scroll down for some more information about Kaytee. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
A CN local, led by Grand Trunk Western GTW 4924, passes the former site of the M&N and MILW depots at Chilton, Wis., on 20 November 2020. The former MILW depot stood on this patch of gravel next to Reinl Accounting (just out-of-frame to the left). This was the former site of the Peter Juckem & Co. Elevator & Warehouse. That new depot replaced the previous depot built by the M&N, which stood between the main line and passing siding (to the right of the locomotive). The awesome, old industrial facility on the right is currently home to JTD Enterprises, Inc. Aluminum Specialty Co., a.k.a. Chilton Aluminum, was the original occupant. Founded at Manitowoc, Wis., they decided to build a second factory at Chilton in 1919, 2 stories, 60 by 200 ft., at a cost of $75,000 ($40,000 for the building and the remainder for equipment). It was built upon the former site of the L. Lindemuth Saw Mill. Other occupants have included Mirro-Foley Co. and Midwest Machine Co. There are remnants of a spur in the pavement, but it hasn’t received rail service for a while. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
A CN local, led by Grand Trunk Western GTW 4924, passes the former site of the M&N and MILW depots at Chilton, Wis., on 20 November 2020. The former MILW depot stood to the left of the locomotive, on the patch of gravel next to Reinl Accounting (just out-of-frame to the left). It was the former site of the Peter Juckem & Co. Elevator & Warehouse. That new depot replaced the previous depot built by the M&N, which stood between the main line and passing siding (to the right of the locomotive). The local is preparing to spot this covered hopper by the grain bins in the background. That facility dates to at least 1892, when it was the Chilton Elevator. By 1898, and until at least 1904, the Sanborn maps list it as Elevator and Ware Houses, owned and operated by N. Knauf. By 1914 it was the Union Elevator and Ware Houses, Knauf & Tesch Co., proprietors. The facility is currently owned by Kaytee Products, Inc. Scroll down for some more information about Kaytee. Photograph by Tom Bruss.
Kaytee Products, Inc.
Kaytee Products, Inc., was founded by Nicholas Knauf in Sheboygan, Wis., in 1874 as a grain and feed business. He soon built elevators at Brillion and Chilton, then moved his headquarters to Chilton. The name Kaytee is derived from Knauf & Tesch (K&T), a partnership formed by William N. Knauf (the founder’s son) and Frank Tesch, which took over from Nicholas Knauf circa 1897. They added bird and small animal foods in the 1920s. In 1964 they stopped producing dairy animal feed and have focused on bird and small animal feed ever since.
Hilbert, Wis., was Milepost 83 on an 1873 timetable; it was Milepost 86 on later timetables.
A CN local, led by Grand Trunk Western GTW 4924, crosses Cedar St. and approaches the former MILW depot at the end of the Menasha Branch at Hilbert, Wis., on 20 November 2020. The former M&N main line runs past this side of the depot. We had always hoped that this was the original ca. 1871 M&N depot, expanded and remodeled at some point. However, on 5 February 2022 we 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.