Rosalia Bridge Day
Local residents and railroad and history enthusiasts are invited to a special Bridge Day Presentation and History Hike, an engaging event that combines an informative talk with outdoor exploration of our area’s rich past. The event will begin at the Rosalia Community Center at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 4 starting with informal meet and greet with Presentation starting at 1:00 pm.
Bringing History to Life
The Presentation and History Hike is designed for all ages and backgrounds, offering participants the opportunity to explore railroad and local history. The event will commence indoors with a presentation by Bruce Shields of the Inland Empire Railroad Museum, He will share fascinating stories, photographs, and a brief history of the area’s railroads, when and why they were built, rivalries and current operations. He will offer an overview of the Inland Empire Railroad Museum, located in Reardan, some 23 miles west of Spokane.
Explore Local Landmarks
Following the presentation, attendees will caravan south of Rosalia to park and access the Palouse to Cascades Trail, embark on a guided hike on the trail, stopping at significant historical landmarks, featuring 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.
Event Details
• Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
• Time: informal greetings, 12:30pm
• Presentation 1:00pm
• Vehicle Caravan from Rosalia to Trailside private parking (about 1-mile drive)
• History Hike on Palouse to Cascade Traill 2:30pm
• Location: 106 W. Seventh Street, Rosalia 99170. (just off Whitman Ave., Rosalia’s main street)
• Cost: Free Admission
• What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and a curiosity about local history! The hike is on level gravel trail and is either one- or two-miles round trip.
Information and Contact
Rosalia Branch of the Whitman County Library at
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For more information about the history hike and history presentation, contact Mark Boorleske at
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About the Organizers
Rosalia Branch of the Whitman County Library and Cascade Rail Foundation organize this event. Cascade Rail Foundation is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the Milwaukee Road, the historic railroad which preceded the Palouse to Cascades Trail.
Join us for a journey through time and discover the stories that make the Palouse, Rosalia and the Pine Creek Valley unique!
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