The Railroad in Portage History

The Museum at the Portage is hosting the "The Railroad in Portage History" presentation by Judy Eulberg on June 15, 2017 at 6:30pm. The presentation will focus on the 19th century railroad events in Portage. It is open to the public free of charge.

The Railroad in Portage History: Portage has been a transportation hub for 12000 years starting with the Ho-Chunk and their Wau-wau-ona Trail. Then came the Voyageurs and Fur Traders. The Europeans who profited from the fur trade brought other business and needed an easier was to get from the Fox to the Wisconsin River. Thus the Portage Canal was constructed but its start and stop construction over 30 years led to a completion date of 1876 and by that time the railroad was the preferred method of transporting things and people.

The presentation to the Portage Historical Society at the June 15 event will concentrate on the 19th century railroad events in our town. It will be a PowerPoint presentation with images from the past to show the vast impact that the railroad has been on our town’s history.

About the Speaker: Judy Eulbeg taught The Railroad in Portage History at Madison College in 2013. It was an 8-hour course attended by 26 interested students; some of who were retired “rails.” The topics covered were the Geography of Portage, A transportation Hub, Railroad Protagonists and The 19th Century, the proposed Railroad Historic District, the businesses that supported the railroad and railroad nicknames.