Sparta, WI: Trail Head/C&NW Depot

(Satellite, 58 photos)

Street View, Oct 2012

Thomas Rambis posted
The Chicago & North Western RR Depot in Sparta, WI.  Looking a bit worn out, this photograph was taken in May 1975 years before the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce made it the Visitors Center for the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail and renovated this depot in 1992.  Original photograph by Thomas Rambis.

Pete Kranz: Depending on what month the photo was taken, the CNW Wyeville - Winona main was still intact. Later in '75, a wreck at Medary Jct resulted in the diamonds being removed, with the CNW utilizing the Milwaukee between Tunnel City and Medary (later, after spring of 1980, Milwaukee all the way). However, they still serviced Sparta customers. When the line was abandoned, they did keep little service "islands", such as Ft McCoy, Sparta, and Gateway/Reinhart Foods in LaCrosse. By 2011, UP had dried up what little was left, and removed their industry spur tracks - except Ft McCoy - from the CP main.

Jim Kelling shared

Sparta Wisconsin (C&NW depot)

There is still a track on the route.

Street View, Aug 2012

1949/49 Sparta Quad @ 62,500

Aaron Feela posted four photyos with the comment: "Sparta, Wisconsin. Chicago and Northwestern Depot. In Picture 2, the grass has overtaken the tracks."

1

2

3

4