the old Elk Avenue Bridge over the tracks
As track was being laid in 1911 for the Chicago and Northwestern line the in Adams County, locations were being chosen for depots. One was west of Patrick's Lake in what is now Grand Marsh to the northwest of here, and another was near the existing population center of Jonesville to the southeast. The activity in Jonesville relocated to where the railroad action was in what is now Brooks.
This bridge lies between the two unincorporated communities, and until 1996, when the original was replaced, it was the only wooden structure over the tracks left from all of the ones built when the railroad came through. We can remember rolling and rattling over that bridge as we drove on it, and it was sad to see it replaced, although this new structure is much more secure and serviceable. If you stand on the bridge and look northwest, you can almost see into Grand Marsh, but a bend in the railroad route prevents you from seeing into Brooks when you look the other direction. For some "modern" history, if you drive a bit to the east of this location you will go by the main entrance of the federal prison at Oxford (though it’s not in Oxford itself).
You do not have to go anywhere near the tracks nor down the slope to find this cache container, which is in a common hiding spot.