GC2K62A The Old Wagon Bridge (Traditional Cache) in Wisconsin, United States created by SnarfyDog

This cache has been archived.

Wis Kid: As there's been no cache to find for months, I'm archiving it to keep it from continually showing up in search lists, and to prevent it from blocking other cache placements. If you wish to repair/replace the cache sometime in the future, just contact us (by email), and assuming it meets the guidelines, we'll be happy to unarchive it.

GC2K62A ▼

A cache by SnarfyDog Message this owner

Hidden : 2/26/2011

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is located near the west foot of the Old Wagon Bridge. The bridge has been gone for over 70 years now, but you can still find evidence of its existence. It went straight across the Mississippi River and landed near the Old Historic River Gauge on the other side (a small concrete structure). It continued onto Mt. Vernon Street which no longer exists.

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The Old Wagon Bridge was opened on Dec. 22, 1890 and had it's offical dedication on July 4, 1891. It was a swing span bridge that connected the city of La Crosse to Pettibone Park and the Village of La Crescent. It was maintained by the city as a toll bridge until the tolls were abolished in 1911. The bridge saw the begining of its end on August 9, 1935. A driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a steel girder. The impact of the crash caused the 131-foot steel span to snap and plunge into the Mississippi along with the car. They fixed the bridge but the wheels were set into motion on building a bigger and better bridge. On Sept. 23, 1939 they dedicated the new Cass Street Bridge. In the rare photo below you can see the two bridges side by side. It wasn't long after this photo that they tore down the Old Wagon Bridge.