Join us for Bridge Day in Rosalia, WA, on Saturday, October 4.
This free event will feature a railroad history presentation at the Rosalia Community Center (106 W. Seventh Street, Rosalia, 99170, just off Whitman Avenue, Rosalia’s main street). Following the presentation, there will be a guided history hike on the former Milwaukee Road right of way, now a part of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. The hike will feature the iconic Rosalia Concrete Arch Bridges.
Railroad History Presentation: 1:00 p.m.
Bruce Shields
Inland Empire Railroad Museum
Bruce Shields will share fascinating stories, photographs, and a brief history of the area’s railroads. He will discuss when and why the railroads were built, railroad rivalries, and current rail operations. He will also provide an overview of the Inland Empire Railroad Museum, located in Reardan, some 23 miles west of Spokane.
The event starts with an informal meet and greet at 12:30 p.m.
History Hike: 2:30 p.m.
After the presentation, the group will caravan a mile south to the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail.
The history hike starts at 2:30 p.m. It will include a guided tour that features the iconic concrete arch bridge crossing over Pine Creek Valley, the old highway, and two historic railroad routes.
Participants can continue the trail to the site of a former tunnel that was later daylighted, now a deep cut.
Along the way, your guide will highlight notable events, people, and places that have shaped the community, providing photos and anecdotes that bring the past to life.
The walking tour is one or two miles round-trip on a gravel trail. We highly recommend wearing sturdy walking shoes.
Information and Contact
Rosalia Branch of the Whitman County Library and Cascade Rail Foundation are sponsoring this event..
You can contact the Rosalia Branch of the Whitman County Library at rosalia@whitcolib.org or (509) 5233-3109.
For more information about the history hike and presentation, contact Mark Borleske at MarkTrail_17@outloook.com.
Photo by Marilyn Hedges
