Exploring Inactive Rail Lines - Stiles-Stiles Jct-Oconto Jct, WI
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Do you like history and poking around looking for remnants? Do you like trains? This combines the two into "railroad archaeology". Come north of Green Bay, WI to the Stiles area. Have you ever heard of Oconto Junction? How about the railroad that was going to connect St Paul directly with Oconto and turn Oconto into a major port city? Come along and poke around with me....
Back in 2009 I was in the Stiles area for the first time in years, and decided to explore the old depot that my family and I passed by dozens of times on our way "up Nort" when I was young. You could tell then it wasn't much longer for this world. There was still a manual and a couple other items inside that I was tempted to take but didn't. Wonder if they're all dust now.
I recall that in the 1970's, a small cafe called Truckey's diner was a little north of the depot.. I also recall the Alamo Supper Club pictured in the video; it was on the banks of the Oconto River along 141. Both are gone now.
I often wonder what sleepy places looked like in the past when they were busy places. Thanks so much for sharing this, even though I'm not familiar with that area, still very interesting. And I'm amazed you find so many places where there are rails still in the weeds and woods. I thought the past times of high scrap values would have meant all the rails would have been torn up by now. Keep up the good work!
Nice job researching and presenting this. It's always sad to see former rails just fade away and become one with nature again.
Very interesting bit of history. Thanks for your hard work.
Sad, somethings don't stay the same...
We had the railroad run through my grandparents property, WAY before my time. Only thing left for me, was the annual stone picking, where the tracks were, and a occasional railroad spike.
Well, hopefully we learn from our past mistakes and document and enjoy what is still left.
You do good research. I literally watched the Stiles Junc. depot fall apart. It was so sad. I have many photos I took over the years to document its demise. Wish I knew you were going to research this area!
Indeed-I had someone else reach out to me with some cool stuff I missed. I like using other people's stuff in order to try to make it the best video possible. Unfortunately, you don't know I am doing this until it is posted, and then it is too late.
Maybe I should have posted a call to action on the ELS Facebook page. So, yes, I have pondered your point.
I enjoyed watching this railroad archeology video that you created on the history of rail lines in the Stiles-Stiles Junction-Oconto Junction, Wisconsin area. Your presentation gives us a clever idea of what railroad structures were in this area and what are currently at these locations. Please keep doing these historical videos, KillerBee! I look forward to your next video. (Posted on 1 February 2025 at 1727 CST.)
Well thank you very much sir. There indeed will be more.
Former CNW/UP engineer here. Talk about old rail, dig this: I was stopped on the CSXT/BOCT @ Ash St. interlocking at the S&S Canal many years ago. I got off the engine and was kicking around looking at a long abandoned spur that ran down to some industry now gone and the rail was very light and "stubby". Upon closer examination here is what it said on the side of the rail:
Carnegie Steel but I do not remember the year of manufacture, if the year was there at all. Carnegie was merged into U.S. Steel around 1902 I believe, if memory serves me. So that was some old rail laying there.
It is not unusual to occasionally find rail in old industry spurs that is from the late 1800's. And yes, occasionally you do still find Carnegie rail. Thanks for commenting.
I always liked the llamas at Ash St at the oil place.
@@killerbee6310 I vaguely remember the llamas you mentioned! That was many years ago. Had to be. I don't remember ever seeing any but I seem to recall hearing about them. I retired in 2013. What were their purpose? Trimming the grass? ;-)
@@uhlijohn I asked once and it was speculated they were the plant security guards. Supposedly llamas are naturally curious so if someone was trespassing for no good reason they will wander over to check you out...and hopefully the intruder will have second thoughts about hanging around. That was the story.
Funny. I used to do that. Whenever the guys working the ground were walking or inspecting I would sometimes hop off and look at old spurs. Would not do that anymore but things were easier in the past.
Great History lesson and nice maps. This would be helpful to reconnect the region.
Thanks Libby!!
What a blast from the past. Very interesting history. 👍
Thank you for watching and commenting.
Right in my backyard! Great video Brian!
Fascinating stuff. I drive through that area on Hwy 141 going to the U.P. frequently. Never knew this area was so active back in history. Thanks and look forward to your next story looking back.👍🇺🇲
Yes, it is amazing what all is only a few hundred yards off the highway.
I like your use of maps and old photos. Very informative. Of course, the onsite footage is much appreciated.
Yes, I think they add a lot. A lot of work, especially securing the permissions to use them, but worth it.
Once again, so much interesting railroading whittled away to almost nothing. It's incredibly interesting to see. Thank you!
Thanks. I'll eventually do some more on the line up here.
Another great video. Thanks for sharing with us.
Of course !!
Another entertaining and informative video! Your attention to detail and research is greatly appreciated
Thanks. I had a lot of great resources to reference.
So much history
Glad you keep it alive
Thank you but could not have done it without those Facebook Group pages. I talked to the guy that runs them and he is a one man local history machine.
I pass this area along Hwy 141 several times a year. It’s awesome seeing some of the old rail history. I knew about the CNW line from Oconto to Oconto Falls, but I didn’t know about the Milwaukee Road having its own line to Oconto from Oconto Jct. very informative! Thank you!
And I didn't either until starting this-nor the little line down to Stiles !!
It was fun to watch thank you Killer Bee !
And fun to go make too. Thank you.
Another wonderful video I enjoyed, thank you!
Another great video
Thank you - you sound like a repeat viewer - I appreciate your viewership.
Thanks for the video KillerBee. I do this all the time in my local area. It's certainly melancholic for sure.
It was, standing there surrounded by the history, decaying infrastructure, overgrown vegetation, and just the wind blowing...but yet off in the distance seeing the traffic zipping by on Hwy 141 and just barely hearing the traffic din. Like being in one world but with a view out a portal to the "real world"
Another very interesting video. Thank you so much for these.
And I thank you for watching and taking the time to comment.
Well researched and documented. Thank you for all the work you put into this project.
Thank you. I have to give a big thank you to the parties that also let me use their work, especially the Stiles and Oconto Facebook pages.
@@killerbee6310 I still remember the train coming into downtown Sturgeon Bay. The shipyard is now trying to get rid of the train station ASAP and it might end up being torn down. In 1913 there was a company formed to extend the railroad to Baileys Harbor, but then the project was abruptly cancelled just as they were about to obtain right of ways. I have been unable to determine what happened.
Really enjoyed this video. Lotta work on your part, so thanks
My pleasure - thank you for commenting so I know people are enjoying it.
Very well done presentation. Extremely interesting! Thank you Killer Bee.
Glad you liked it - appreciate you commenting.
I do remember how the CNW line that crossed through Stiles Junction westward went all the way North through Gillett where it turned North and kept going northward. It crossed another diamond with Soo Line, later Wisconsin Central, in Laona Junction. The line line made it all the way into the UP of Michigan. CNW had abandoned the line west of Oconto Falls and kept the section from Oconto Falls westward to the mainline until they sold the short section to ELS. CNW did sell off the Tipler to Wabeno to where the Nicolet Badger Northern (NBN) had a short run until abandoned and removed. That little section from Stiles Junction to Oconto Falls is all that is left of that CNW subdivison!
Yes, everything evolves for better or worse. Sadly, once the lumber played out in the northwoods, there wasn't much left to support all those rail lines.
What’s interesting to me, from then to now, are all the lines that you used to host fast passenger trains. It’s hard to believe by looking at the current state of most lines that had occurred.
Loved it, miss Stiles Jct.
Yes, sad watching the implosion of the depot over the years.
@@killerbee6310 I remember 3 of the four signals protecting the diamond used to be semaphores. Always wanted to get pictures of them but was never able to.
Worked for the Milwaukee when the communication pole line was abandoned north of Green Bay.
Thank you for the nice historical tour! It would be interesting to use a metal detector around some of the old sites.
Yes, I have had the same thought. Another rabbit hole to fall down......
Very interesting information
Thanks! Couldn't have done it without the Facebook pages though and his generous permission to let me use it.
I've never been in that area, but very interesting non the less. I have not been to Wisconsin since I was a kid.
Railroad archaeology is fascinating to me no matter where it is.
@@killerbee6310 I agree!
Thank you for this! Would love to see more on the branch from Oconto to Oconto Jct. Whenever I’m on 141 I always try to imagine where it would’ve crossed. You can still follow most of the ROW on aerial photography. I wonder if any artifacts exist where the bridge was?
I was thinking of maybe doing the CNW and Milw Road lines to Oconto but I am thinking the ex-Milw Road may be problematic - I think a lot is on private property.
Wisconsin; a great place to dwell.
I'm not far from where this is. On a snowmobile trip with my family (around 2015 ish) We came across the Stiles Junction Depot and stop by it to take a look. The roof at the time was about to collapse but I did peer through the corner ticket booth window and open freight doorway on the east side to see some furniture inside. I didn't dare go in as I'm sure the floorboards would have broke. About a year later, the depot was torn down. I did find out the Depot was built in 1898.
Good thing it was winter when you were there. That bay window had a nest of extremely territorial wasps and you could not get very close without them taking great offense at your presence!
Yes, over the years I watched the depot decay and implode. When you first walked into it, it had "the smell". That smell you only can detect for the initial few seconds of old paint, decaying wood, junk laying around. Wish I could bottle it.
@@killerbee6310 I saved a couple of the tongue and groove boards with the original gray paint on them before they carted away the remains after it was demolished. They hang on my enclosed porches’ wall.
Hmmmm, I don't think I ever knew that the Milwaukee Road had a branch to Oconto off what is now the E&LS; just that the C&NW once came west and crossed it at Stiles Jct.
LOL-I didn't either until Greg Bunce send me some stuff awhile back. The real shocker to me was the CNW line down to Stiles, which at its very south end connected with the Milw Rd and didn't seem to make many maps
@@killerbee6310 Yeah, that was new info to me, too. Thanks for the video! At some point I'll have to upload my E&LS footage from 2008 which includes the 600 (ex-WSOR/WICT/Milwaukee Road F-unit) going by the Stiles Jct. depot which was still standing at the time.
Btw, did you get a wetland permit from the DNR before disturbing the ground with your foot on and around that old railroad tie?
Ah...don't think I need one after the Supreme Court ruling a few years ago - nothing there drains into a U.S. waterway-LOL
@ livin’ on the edge….keep up the great vids.
How come the trains stop going through suring wisconsin and Lily wisconsin and white Lake wisconsin i know they tore the train tracks up and made a bike path up north i use to go through the town when going up north
When WC acquired the CNW line (the SSAM transaction) thru Menominee/Marinette and Powers to Escanaba, it basically made the original north-south route thru White Lake redundant. The CNW line had more local business and was shorter for the thru trains.
Have you ever seen any evidence of water towers? There must have been one at each of those settlements.
You would certainly think but no, never seen any evidence. Nor on the maps.
That concrete pylon may have been a foundation pier for a coaling or water tower.
There were a couple laying around, and more up at the road crossing