.png)
Headquartered in Southwest Wisconsin | Info@OcoochMountainAcres.com | Text or Call -- 608-606-2866
HISTORY
1905 was the first year that TWO railroads served Westby.
During the years 1905-1933 the Cargill Railroad called
"La Crosse and Southeastern" connected La Crosse to 5 Vernon County communities - Stoddard, Chaseburg, Coon Valley, Westby and Viroqua. This train ran on the west side of the Cargill Grain Elevator which was built in 1905.
The Milwaukee Road trains ran on the East Side of the Grain Elevator/Mill on what is now Bekkedal Avenue during the years 1880 - 1980.
Railroad History
1905 - The Cargill Era -- Construction of the Grain Elevator
The Cargill family completed construction of the LaCrosse & Southeastern Railroad which ran from LaCrosse to Viroqua, going through 5 Vernon County villages. The Cargill family, then as now, were heavily invested in the the agri-business of grain trading so besides building the railroad they built a grain elevator in each of the 5 villages, including the one in Westby. Unfortunately the elevator was torn down in the 1970's.
1910 - The McEachron Era -- Construction of the Grain Mill Warehouse
The 50 ft x 28 ft grain warehouse that was built on the east side of the Cargill grain elevator was built in 1910and still stand today at the corner of Bekkedal & Second. It has stood the test of time, withstanding 2 tornados which destroyed tobacco warehouses to the north and east.
​
There is some confusion about what years Mr. H.E. McEachron was involved with the Mill and what role he played, i.e. owner or manager. Some records indicate he was connected with the Cargills in some way from the very beginning in 1905 when it was just the grain elevator. Other records seem to indicate he might have entered the scene later than the Cargills, possible not till 1909 when the Mill Warehouse building east of the grain elevator was started. Maybe he was the owner of the warehouse and the Cargills the grain elevator?
​
(NOTE: If anyone has more information about this era please contact us so we can more accurately record the Mill history. We are also looking for a photo that would have been taken the year the Mill Warehouse was completed in about 1910. The above photo is approximately how the elevator and warehouse appeared in 1910, but at that time the metal sheets of siding seen in this photo were not on the building. We believe Ben Logan covered the wood siding with the metal sheets in the early 1940's. )
