Towns and Nature: Milwaukee, WI: North Milwaukee Junction: Milw vs. Milw

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Milwaukee, WI: North Milwaukee Junction: Milw vs. Milw

Sam Carlson posted a picture of "North Milwaukee Tower in August, 1972." They were still using semaphores back then. When I asked where this tower was, he couldn't say for sure because the area has changed so much.

Scott Porinsky provided a detailed answer:

The tower was located on the north side of Milwaukee just north of Hampton Avenue and where 33rd Street would be. It was located at the north end of Glendale Yard which served A.O. Smith (auto frames) and other industries. The tower was at the junction of The Beer Line, which headed to the east, The Northern to Horicon to the west, and The Superior which ran north to Green Bay. A mile or so north on The Superior, a connection was established to the CNW at a junction named Canco. At one time this allowed CNW passenger trains from Milwaukee to Green Bay to share the Milwaukee Road Union Station in Milwaukee, and then head onto CNW rails from Canco to Green Bay. The Soo Line ran a daily train from North Fond Du Lac to Glendale Yard, using Milwaukee trackage on The Northern line from Rugby Jct (just south of Slinger) to North Milwaukee. There was also a North Milwaukee station just northwest of the tower between the Superior and Northern lines. A freight agent worked there yet in the early 1970s.

Edward Weisensel added "Google 3300 Cameron Av. The wye has a fenced-in tank car unloading spur in the center - just north of Hampton Av."

Darren Reynolds posted five photos with the comment: "'North Milwaukee tower Milwaukee, Wisconsin"