Railroad gang

This extremely early and unidentified photograph, although badly faded and spotted, may record a crew from the railroad gang which cut, graded and then laid the tracks from Powers to the new iron mines during the spring, summer and fall of 1877. By June 1, 1877, the railroad was within three miles of the Breen Mine in Waucedah, and a wooden railway bridge with long, high approaches stretching nearly 500 feet was nearing completion. A portion of one of these approaches could be pictured in the background at the upper left of this photograph. The somber men appear well-equipped with shovels, sledge hammers and pick-like hammers used to drive railroad spikes. Note the child in the lower right, perhaps sitting on his father’s knee. [Menominee Range Historical Museum]