Why is it called the Bugline Trail?
Area historian Fred Keller helps share story of historic path
By LAURA DRITLEIN

Living Sussex Sun, Posted: Jan. 5, 2010

"This is just like a bug following a grapevine," exclaimed a woman who had the delight of being one of the early passengers to take a special excursion train carrying 300 passengers to Menomonee Falls.

She was comparing the train and the way it followed the rolling landscape to a caterpillar following the tendrils of a grapevine.

Over time, the name was shortened to the Bugline Trail, said Village of Sussex historian, Fred Keller. Today, the trail that boasts a rich history is a yearlong recreational outlet for the community.

Trail's beginnings
The trail was built in 1890 by Milwaukee, Menomonee Falls and Western railroads to serve limestone quarries. It was later acquired by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroads.

The first passengers to take the train back in 1890 were riding a railroad financed in part by Richard Weaver, a Waukesha National Bank official who made a fortune in 1882 investing in hops at a time when a hop locust was destroying crops on the east coast. "Waukesha was a tremendous area in hops growing," said Keller.

Weaver got wind of a worldwide hops failure, began buying up hop crops and made almost $1 million in 90 days. One of the things Weaver invested in was the railroad.

Another financier was Joe Hadfield, a Waukesha stone baron who once owned the property now known as Menomonee Park. At one time, Lannon was to be named Hadfield until the man went bankrupt, explained Keller.

Back in the 1890s there were two depots in the community now known as Sussex that was formerly divided into two communities, Templeton and Sussex. In 1897, building the railroad came to a halt when the Bugline ran between Menomonee Falls and Merton. The Kettle Moraine Railroad extended from Merton to North Lake.

A listing on the Sussex Lisbon Historical Society's Web site shows in April, 1897 the Milwaukee, Menomonee Falls and Superior Railroad (Bug Line) started carrying Sussex mail.

Keller pointed out a signed copy of a book about the Bugline railroad that is kept at the Sussex Lisbon-Area Historical Society written by Art Harnack who served as a switchman on the Bugline for many years.

Over the course of its history, the Bugline carried sugar beets from Sussex, stone from Lannon, canning supplies and products from the cannery and many products from the Sussex Mill and the North Lake feed mill. It carried cream from area creameries and cinders and other refuse to a railroad dump. Students could also ride the trains to and from high school.

Bugline freight
Right after World War II, under the Marshall Plan, Sussex Mills sent carloads of oats and bailed hay to supply hungry people and livestock in postwar Europe.

"Sussex Mills had some big years under the Marshall Plan," said Keller.

The Bugline also inspired the opening of a quarry on the former canning factory site in 1890 that quarried limestone then burned it in kilns to make quicklime and other lime products.

From 1916 to 1991 the quarry served as a popular swimming hole for the community. Recently, Sussex proposed walking paths around the quarry which are currently under review with Waukesha Park and Planning.

The swimming hole was 20-feet deep and featured a high dive, "it was a badge of courage that kids would be off the high dive by first grade," said Keller.

The Bugline continued serving Sussex Mills delivering coal between 1890 and the 1960s. In the 1960s and 1970s Sussex Mills would ship 60 tons of water softener salt per week.

The Bugline took its last run in 1978 and soon the concept of rails to trails was formed.

Trail transformation
Keller was instrumental in transforming the railway into a recreation trail. He put together a slide presentation and pitched the idea of the Bugline Trail to Waukesha Park and Planning to turn the then Milwaukee Road into the Waukesha Lineal Trail.

But the Waukesha Lineal Trail name didn't quite fit a trail that had earned a more creative moniker. Keller sold the parks committee on keeping the Bugline nickname as the official name for the recreation trail.

There were no caterpillars or trains on the Bugline Trail on a recent frigid Saturday when the only thing biting was the wind, snowshoes and cross country skis that have taken over the trail.

The Bugline trail and the spurs branching off into the former quarries and businesses now offer a variety of recreational opportunities. The trail leads to Menomonee Park, past historical markers including one at the former Sussex Mills, the Sussex-Lisbon Area Historical Society, Merton Fireman's Park and Silver Spring Golf Course.

When it's not covered with snow, the 14 mile, level surface, Bugline from Menomonee Falls to Merton is topped with crushed gravel to accommodate hikers, runners and bicyclists. It stretches between Appleton Avenue (Highway 175) in Menomonee Falls and Main Street (Highway VV) in the Village of Merton. A separate four-foot wide bridle trail adjacent to the original eight-foot wide recreation trail extends 2.5 miles. The Bugline also follows along the Bark River.

The rails to trails Web site describes the Bugline as a, "surprisingly secluded trail in a sprawling metropolitan area. An active quarry, three parks enroute add to the interest." The Bugline is used for road and mountain biking, walking and day hiking, cross country skiing and snowmobiling with access to horseback riding trails, swimming and fishing.

Treetop branches arch like a cathedral above Bugline Trail, observed Keller, offering a shady respite in summer.

Whispers of the trail's industrious history and the trail's endearing nickname are left for reflection as travelers today embark on excursions of a much different nature.

Simply Sussex honored for summer cleanup project

By Thomas J. McKillen, Managing Editor, Sussex Express News, January 27, 2010

Simply Sussex recently received an award for the first project undertaken by the new organization.

During the Jan. 12 Village Board meeting, Village President Tony Lapcinski presented an award form the Waukesha County Parks to Pat Tetzlaff, a member of Simply Sussex and a trustee on the Village Board.

The award from Waukesha County Park was for work Simply Sussex members did on the Bug Line Trail last summer. The Bug Line is the route of a onetime railroad that is now a walking and bicycle path. Simply Sussex members painted two bridges and cleaned up a portion of the Bug Line Trail that had been closed for approximately 30 years.

During an interview last week, Tetzlaff explained that she thought about starting such an organization last spring to assist with community-related projects in the village.

The first project undertaken by Simply Sussex was the Bug Line. A key portion of the trail — approximately a half-mile — went through property that at one time was the site of the Mammoth Spring cannery and is now owned by Bielinski Builders. Tetzlaff noted that the trail had stopped at  the property and that Bielinski and Waukesha County had to agree of where to plot out the route for the trail. She praised the cooperation of Bielinski and Waukesha County for their work in opening the path.
“I think everyone was ready to get it done because the Bug Line is such a beautiful asset,”Tetzlaff said.

As part of the cleanup, members of Simply Sussex pulled tires and other debris from a stream. Also, members cut down overgrown vegetation across the path.

Simply Sussex members also stained two bridges on the Bug Line Route. One bridge is in the Mammoth Springs area while the second bridge is behind the Piggly Wiggly.

Tetzlaff estimated that 12 to 15 people worked on the Bug Line during fourth Saturdays last summer.

“We just put the sparkle back in,” Tetzlaff said of the improvements to the Bug Line Trail.

As for future projects, Tetzlaff indicated that plans are in the works for a possible collection of supplies to send to Haiti at the end of the month. In addition, members will be working to improve the appearance at the 13 neighborhood parks in the village starting in spring.