| A CN local crosses S. Lawe St. and parallels the last remaining scrap of what was once the South Channel of the Fox River via former C&NW rails in 'The Flats' at Appleton, WI on 16 Jun. '18. Train was headed back to the yard at Appleton Junction after working Kimberly and Combined Locks and had one locomotive, IC 3102. South Island St. used to run parallel to the north bank of the South Channel. Old maps reveal that the west end of the South Channel was filled in at some point between 1916 and 1957. Most of the remainder of the South Channel was filled in the following years. This remaining portion forms the confluence with a mill race which connects West’s Power Canal (a.k.a. West’s Canal, a.k.a. Grand Chute Island Canal) to the Fox River. Edward West bought Grand Chute Island and excavated the canal in 1870 to provide water power for the industries which were built soon after. Neenah Paper (formerly Fox River Paper Co.), is partially visible in the background to the left. Neenah Paper is the only current rail customer in 'The Flats' and has been for a number of years. Over the past several years, I have notice that some misinformed individuals erroneously refer to ‘The Flats’ as ‘Oneida Flats,’ or some variation of same. However, the historic, industrial heart of Appleton is simply ‘The Flats.’ |