Bridges     History     Before the Rescue     Flood of 2010     Artwork

In the early 1850’s,  there was no good means of travel between La Crosse and Trempealeau Counties. In 1854 Alexander McGilvray started a ferry service across the Black River, carrying horse-drawn wagons.  This ferry, and the road leading to it, significantly shortened the trip between the two Counties.  These bottom lands were farmed and this road was essential to the movement of agricultural products and ordinary traffic. The ferry was in operation for almost 40 years until 1892.

The increased logging over the years made for difficult maintenance and unreliable operations of the McGilvray Ferry.  In 1892 the the ferry operation ended. It was replaced by a 254 foot steel bridge over the main channel of the Black River.   There were further improvements to the road in the early 1900’s.  Automobiles made this road more popular as local farming declined.

The main channel bridge was in operation between 1892 and 1948 and is referred to as Bridge 7.  It was removed in 1954.

In addition to the steel bridge, eight wooden pile bridges were also constructed in 1892 along McGilvray Road. This old county road crossed over the swampy backwater as a direct route from La Crosse County to the Black River main channel bridge. The wood bridges were constructed to aid in spanning the maze of sloughs and channels of the bottoms.  Between weather, use, and flooding, the wooden bridges did not hold up well.

After repeated petitioning from the residents of both Trempealeau and La Crosse counties, the La Crosse County Board appropriated funds to replace 5 of the wooden bridges.  Between 1905 and 1908, the steel bowstring arch truss bridges were constructed.

The bridges remaining today are identified as #1 through #6, with Bridge #1 being the most easterly and Bridge #6 the most westerly. 

The five bowstring bridges remaining today were constructed by the La Crosse Steel Company after it bought Charles Horton’s patent. Horton’s patent included a clip which was designed to allow a combination of round and square eye-bars with the eyes made by looping over and welding the end of the bar.  Horton believed a stronger bridge would result if the steel was forged instead of drilling holes for bolts, etc. It also allowed for movement which resulted from variation in weight loads.

A wooden Kingpost bridge was located at the site of bridge #5.  It stood the test of time until deterioration necessitated its removal in 1986.

In 1957 the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources – DNR, acquired the roadway, bridges and much of the surrounding countryside for inclusion in the Van Loon Wildlife Area. The area was named for William Van Loon as he was one of the first farmers to sell his land to the DNR.

The Friends published a book called The Historic McGilvray Bridges and The Friends who Saved Them. The 70 page book is based on a manuscript by retired DNR manager, Ray Kyro. Ray’s manuscript was brought to print by Mariel Carlisle.

Features include: 

• A chronology of the bridges and road from 1850’s to 1999. 

• Detailed history of the bridges and the road. Description of the extensive restoration efforts. 

• A natural history of the McGilvray Bottoms in the Van Loon Wildlife Area. 

• Index and drawings for Horton’s patent and other pictures.