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Chicago Great Western Trails By Jerry Huddleston Could the entire Chicago Great Western Railway be converted to a recreational trail? Probably not. Abandoned right-of-ways in Northwestern Illinois, Northwestern Missouri, and Central Iowa have reverted to adjacent owners who want no part of it. However, a growing number of miles have been converted to recreational trails. These trails are important because they preserve the railroad corridor and the history of the CGW, including depots, bridges, mileposts, and other railroad artifacts. Trails provide excellent recreation and transportation in both urban and rural areas. Additionally, trails also provide much needed open space and create natural corridors for wildlife. These trails even provide a stimulus to local economies, revitalizing many small towns left behind by the railroad. The 1,500-mile CGW was a spunky carrier that contributed mightily to the transportation industry. Today, more route miles have been converted to recreation trails than remain in service for the Union Pacific Railroad; and several new trails are presently being developed in Minnesota and Iowa. So, while the entire CGW may never be converted to a recreational trail, much of it will so that the history of the railroad will always be secured. Minnesota Cannon Valley Trail Location: Cannon Falls to Red Wing; Goodhue County Abandoned: 1983 Length: 20 miles Surface: Asphalt Parking: Cannon Falls/ Highway 19 one block west of downtown; Red Wing/ Old Main Street and Bench Street one block off Highway 61, or Lower A.P. Anderson Park; Welch/ County Road 7 a half-mile south of town Description: One of the most scenic trails, the 20-mile Cannon Valley Trail winds through diverse and spectacular scenery closely following the Cannon River. The trail descends 115 feet in elevation from Cannon Falls to Red Wing, passing through a landscape of steep wooden slopes, farmland, hardwood forests, pastures, and marshland. The railroad was built by the Minnesota Central Railroad in 1882. A CGW Depot remains at both trail endpoints: a stucco wooden depot, awaiting restoration in Cannon Falls and a brick two story depot, converted to a Hardees Restaurant in Red Wing. A $2 daily trail pass ($10 season trail pass) is required for adults. Contact: Cannon Valley Trail Cannon Falls City Hall 306 West Mill Street Cannon Falls, MN 55009 (507) 263-3954 Douglas State Trail Location: Rochester to Pine Island; Goodhue and Olmsted County Abandoned: 1972 Length: 13 miles Surface: Asphalt Parking: Rochester/ County Road 4 a mile northwest of the city; Douglas/ County Road 14; Pine Island/ County Road 11 in the city park Description: The Douglas State Trail passes through a scenic mix of forest and the rolling fields and pastures of some of the richest farmland in Minnesota. It consists of two parallel trails; a paved trail for bicycles, hikers, and snowmobiles, which follows the abandoned CGW right-of-way, and an unpaved trail for horses and skiers. The railroad was originally built by the CGW in 1902. Contact: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Trails and Waterways Unit 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4052 (612) 296-6157 Goodhue Pioneer Trail Location: Red Wing to Zumbrota; Goodhue County Abandoned: 1964 Length: 14 miles Surface: Grass/ Dirt Parking: Hay Creek/ Township Road two and a half miles from Highway 58; Zumbrota/ Covered Bridge Park Description: The 14-mile Goodhue Pioneer Trail consists of two trails separated by a six-mile gap. The 8-mile northern half begins at Pioneer Road in Red Wing and ends at the boundary of the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest. It follows Hay Creek passing through rugged hills primarily forested with Oak, Elm, Birch, Basswood, and Black Cherry Trees. The 6-mile southern half begins at the Zumbrota Covered Bridge Park and crosses agricultural land and native prairie. The line was originally constructed by the Duluth, Red Wing, & Southern Railroad in 1888 and was embargoed by the CGW in 1964 after a derailment. Contact: City of Red Wing PO Box 34 Red Wing, MN 55066 (612) 385-3622 Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail Location: Mankato to Faribault; Blue Earth, Le Sueur, and Rice County Abandoned: 1973 Length: 39 miles Surface: Asphalt Parking: Mankato/ Lime Valley Road northwest of the city; Eagle Lake/ County Road 3 a mile north of Highway 60; Madison Lake/ Two blocks north of Highway 60; Elysian/ Highway 60; Sakatah Lake State park/ Two miles east of Waterville Description: The Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail is the longest trail at 39 miles. The trail lies in the transition zone between hardwood forests and vast prairies. It wanders near pastures and farmland, along several lakes, and through a forested state park. Near the middle of the trail in Waterville, trail users are routed through city streets. The railroad was built from Faribault to Waterville in 1882 by the Minnesota Central Railroad and from Mankato to Waterville in 1887 by the Wisconsin, Minnesota, & Pacific Railroad. Contact: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Trails and Waterways Unit 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4052 (612) 296-6157 Iowa Butler County Nature Trail Location: Shell Rock to Clarksville; Butler County Abandoned: 1989 Length: 6 miles Surface: Crushed Stone Parking: Shell Rock/ County Road T63 a half-mile north of Highway 3 Description: The Butler County Nature Trail loosely follows the Shell Rock River from Shell Rock to Clarksville, crossing several small streams. The line was originally constructed by the ill-fated Iowa Pacific Railroad in 1872, making it the oldest CGW property. A CGW Concrete Block Depot remains near the west end of the trail in Clarksville. Contact: Butler County Conservation Board 28727 Timber Road Clarksville, IA 50619 (319) 278-4237 Chichaqua Valley Recreation Trail Location: Bondurant to Baxter; Jasper and Polk County Abandoned: 1985 Length: 20 miles Surface: Asphalt Parking: Bondurant/ 88th Street a half-mile south of Highway 65; Valeria/ County Road F34; Mingo/ Highway 117; Ira/ County Road F24 four-miles west of Mingo; Baxter/ Baxter Business District north of Highway 223 Description: The Chichaqua Valley Recreation Trail crosses the forested banks and timbered bottoms of the Skunk River, which was called Chichaqua by the Fox Indians. Several miles are lined with young forests and prairie punctuated by vistas of farmland. The trail follows the long grades originally constructed by the Wisconsin, Iowa, & Nebraska Railway (The Diagonal) in 1883. Contact: Jasper County Conservation Board 115 North 2nd Avenue East Newton, IA 50208 (515) 792-9790 Chickasaw County Trail Location: New Hampton to Alta Vista; Chickasaw County Abandoned: 1982 Length: 10 miles Surface: Grass/ Dirt Parking: New Hampton/ County Road B33 five miles Northwest of the city; Alta Vista/ County Road V18, or County Road B28 six miles Southeast of the city Description: The 10-mile Chickasaw County Trail consists of five trails separated by four gaps of a mile or less between New Hampton and the Chickasaw County Line. The trail crosses undulating agricultural land and native prairie including branches of the East Wapsipinicon River and Elk Creek. The railroad was built by CGW predecessor Minnesota & Northwestern Railroad in 1886. Contact: Chickasaw County Conservation Board 107 Pine Street New Hampton, IA 50659 (515) 394-4714 Great Western Trail Location: Des Moines to Martensdale; Polk and Warren County Abandoned: 1985 Length: 18 miles Surface: Asphalt Parking: Des Moines/ Valley Drive across the street from the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse; Cumming/ Highway G14; Martensdale/ Inwood Street a half-mile east of 30th Avenue Description: The 18-mile Great Western Trail in Central Iowa is built on the line originally constructed by the Chicago, St. Paul, & Kansas City Railway in 1887. The trail crosses a few remaining remnants of prairie and wetland that include some of Iowa's endangered plants, which cannot be found in other parts of the state. Evidence of a munitions train derailment and fire can still be found near the North River in Lida. Contact: Warren County Conservation Board 1565 118th Avenue Indianola, IA 50125 (515) 961-6169 Heritage Trail Location: Dubuque to Dyersville; Dubuque County Abandoned: 1981 Length: 26 miles Surface: Crushed Stone Parking: Dubuque/ Highway 52 two miles north of Dubuque; Durango/ Highway 52; Graf/ City Park; Epworth/ 1st Avenue Northeast two miles north of Highway 20/ County Road Y13 a mile north of Highway 20; Dyersville/ Highway 136 a mile north of Highway 20 Description: One of the most scenic trails, the 26-mile Heritage Trail threads through a 450-foot deep valley and past old mining and mill towns closely following the Little Maquoketa River. The trail descends in elevation from Farley to Dubuque, passing through a landscape of deep rugged woodlands, sheer limestone bluffs, and old lead mines. The railroad was built by the Dubuque & Northwestern Railroad in 1885. A $1.10 daily trail pass ($5.25 season trail pass) is required for adults. Contact: Dubuque County Conservation Board 13768 Swiss Valley Road Peosta, IA 52068 (319) 556-6745 Maple Leaf Pathway Location: Diagonal; Ringgold County Abandoned: 1985 Length: 3 miles Surface: Grass/ Ballast Parking: Diagonal/ County Road J23 Description: The Maple Leaf Pathway crosses three miles of agricultural land including a few remaining remnants of prairie and wetland. Maple, Oak, Hickory, and Buckeye Trees randomly grow along the trail. The railroad was built by the Chicago, St. Paul, & Kansas City Railway in 1887. A CGW wood depot remains in Diagonal. Contact: Ringgold County Conservation Board RR# 1 Box 83A Mount Ayr, IA 50854 (515) 464-2787 Russell White Nature Trail Location: Lanesboro; Carroll County Abandoned: 1976 Length: 3 miles Surface: Grass/ Ballast Parking: Lanesboro/ Lanesboro City Park, or Highway 286 four miles southwest of the city Description: The Russell White Nature Trail crosses three miles of level forest, pasture, and native prairie. The trail negotiates the Raccoon River with a converted 350-foot long trestle. The railroad was built by the CGW in 1902. A CGW brick depot remains in Lanesboro. Contact: Carroll County Conservation Board RR #1 Box 240A Carroll, IA 51401-9801 (712) 792-4614 Sergeant Road Trail Location: Waterloo to Hudson; Blackhawk County Abandoned: 1988 Length: 10 miles Surface: Crushed Stone Parking: Waterloo/ Westfield Avenue a block north of Highway 218, or Shaulis Road and Highway 63 south of Highway 20 Description: The Sergeant Road Trail parallels Highway 63 from Waterloo to Hudson through rural and park areas. The railroad was originally constructed by the Wisconsin, Iowa, & Nebraska Railway (The Diagonal) to Cedar Falls Junction in 1883 and north to Cedar Falls and Waterloo in 1884. The first mile of the Cedar Prairie Trail, which follows the grade of the CGW Cedar Falls Branch through the Blackhawk Creek Greenbelt, connects to the Sergeant Road Trail at Cedar Falls Junction. Contact: Cedar Falls Parks Division 606 Union Road Cedar Falls, IA 50613-1666 (319) 273-8625 Upper Nish Habitat Trail Location: Irwin; Shelby County Abandoned: 1985 Length: 6 miles Surface: Dirt/ Ballast Parking: Irwin/ County Road F24 Description: The six-mile Upper Nish Habitat Trail closely follows the Nishnabotna River navigating several small streams. The trail crosses agricultural land, native prairie, and pasture. The railroad was built by the CGW in 1903. Contact: Shelby County Conservation Board 514 Maple Road Harlan, IA 51537-6600 (712) 755-2628 Wapsi-Great Western Line Location: Riceville; Howard and Mitchell County Abandoned: 1982 Length: 14 miles Surface: Crushed Stone Parking: Riceville/ Highway 9, or Lake Hendricks; McIntire/ County Road T62 two miles South of the city, or Pinicon Alder Woods Description: Two three-mile segments of the 14-mile Wapsi-Great Western Line follow the abandoned CGW grade between Riceville and the Iowa State Line. One segment extends north from Riceville while the other extends south from the Iowa State Line. The trail follows the Wapsipinicon River corridor traversing wide rolling landscape, agricultural land, upland timber, wetland, and pasture. The railroad was originally built by the Minnesota & Northwestern Railroad in 1886. Contact: Wapsi-Great Western Line Committee PO Box 116 Riceville, IA 50466-0116 (515) 985-4030 Illinois Great Western Trail Location: St. Charles to Sycamore; Kane and DeKalb County Abandoned: 1977 Length: 18 miles Surface: Asphalt/ Crushed Stone Parking: St. Charles/ Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve; Wasco/ Highway 64; Lily Lake/ Wooley Road north of Highway 64; Virgil/ Peplow Road north of Highway 64; Richardson/ County Line Road north of Highway 64; Sycamore/ Highway 64 Description: The 18-mile Great Western Trail in North Central Illinois is built on the line originally constructed by the Minnesota & Northwestern Railroad in 1886. It is the first of three trails built named the Great Western Trail. The trail crosses rolling countryside, navigating numerous small streams and wetlands. Wild shrubs including Dogwood, Blackberry, and Hazelnut surround several miles of the trail, which merge with a few remaining patches of native prairie. Contact: Kane County Forest Preserve 719 Batavia Avenue, Building G Geneva, IL 60134 (630) 232-5980 Great Western Trail Location: Villa Park to West Chicago; DuPage County Abandoned: 1984, 1985, and 1991 Length: 12 miles Surface: Crushed Stone Parking: Villa Park/ Central Boulevard west of Villa Avenue, or Central and Park Boulevards west of Ardmore Avenue Description: The 12-mile Great Western Trail in Northeastern Illinois is built on the line originally constructed by the Minnesota & Northwestern Railroad in 1886. The trail follows the right-of-way of the ill-fated Chicago, St. Charles, & Mississippi Air Line, which never turned a wheel, across the growing western suburbs of Chicago. In 1996 the DuPage County Division of Transportation constructed a double span 243-foot bridge to carry the Great Western Trail over the I-355 Tollway at a cost of $1.4 Million. Trail users are routed through city streets in Lombard where the CGW crossed the C&NW. A CGW Depot remains at the east end of the trail in Villa Park and is currently used by the Villa Park Historical Society. Contact: Division of Transportation DuPage County 130 North County Farm Road Wheaton, IL 60189-0298 (630) 682-7318 The author would like to thank Joe Piersen, Paul Swanson, Don Vaughn, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, and all of the contacts for their help with this article.