| A CN local crosses the Fox River Navigation Canal via the former C&NW swing bridge in 'The Flats' at Appleton, WI on 27 Apr. '19. Train was headed back to the yard at Appleton Junction after working Kimberly and Combined Locks. I haven't noticed a builder's plate, but according to bridgehunter.com, the Warren through truss swing bridge was built in 1908. It is difficult to tell from this angle, but the train also crosses the Newberry Trail as it approaches the southeast end of the bridge. The canal comes in from the far side of the fence and tree at right. The water in the foreground is the last remaining scrap of what was once the South Channel of the Fox River through 'The Flats.' Old maps reveal that the west end of the South Channel was filled in at some point between 1916 and 1957. Most of the remainder of the South Channel was filled in the following years. This remaining portion forms the confluence with a mill race (behind me) which connects West’s Power Canal (a.k.a. West’s Canal, a.k.a. Grand Chute Island Canal) to the Fox River. Over the past several years, I have noticed that some misinformed individuals erroneously refer to ‘The Flats’ as ‘Oneida Flats,’ or some other variation. However, the historic, industrial heart of Appleton is simply ‘The Flats.’ |