Bridges 1850 to Present

The first bridge.
    A bridge charter was obtained in the 1840's but it wasn't until M. S. Moore arrived that it got off the ground. Under the direct supervision of Mr. Moore and with engineer Thomas Worthington, a 60 rod wooden bridge was erected in 1851, at a cost of $1,500. For 254 a team or 54 a person could cross the Wisconsin River without getting wet, using a ferry or waiting for one foot of ice. This was the first bridge to cross the Wisconsin River. The first spring flood the next year washed part of it away and it had to be rebuilt.

 
A fine of $5.00 for going faster than a walk across this bridge tells a little more about the stability of the bridge as well. Nevertheless the Wisconsin Bridge Company owned this bridge, maintained it, and owned several lots including the toll house and the road up to Water Street. For seventy years this low bridge with turnstile for steam boats served as the opening to and from the world.

The Second Bridge.
    A new bridge was talked about in December of 1912 at a mass meeting before the Highway Commission in Hatz Hall in Prairie du Sac. A vote to issue bonds was made on August 25, 1913with West Point Township, (across the river in Columbia County) voting 125 for and 31 against and Prairie du Sac 195 to 7. The Bridge Committee of John Bonham, J. B. Ragatz, George Cook, and Elvin Chrisler met but World War I interrupted action. On March 3, 1920 the bridge was begun with Charles Oakey resident engineer. It was 1427 feet long, 20 feet wide, 17 piers, 16-20' high with a draw span. It was dedicated on june 25, 1921 with John Bonham being called "the father of the bridge". 4000 people and 600 cars crossed the bridge and gathered at Marion Park for the festivities. This bridge was one block north of the old bridge and opened onto Water Street where the "Eagle Look Out" is located today. The photo of the bridge at the right was taken the hill above the former settlement of Clifton.

    Upon completion of this bridge the old bridge was removed and the toll house was cut in half and moved into the village. When the house was set on it's new foundation the two halves were put together in a "T" shape instead of the original one long structure. This house was the boyhood home of our Archivist.

The Third Bridge.
    Ed Kramer and Sons of Plain Wisconsin was issued the contract for 1 million dollars to build a new bridge at Prairie Street two blocks north of the 1921 bridge. It began on November 11, 1970 and was 750 feet with seven spans. It was financed by Wisconsin Bridge Bonding passed by the 1969Legislature. At its entrance it has a Firemen's' park to the north and a small eagle park to the south.