Stone Arch Bridge
The Great Northern Railroad crossed the Mississippi River on the Stone Arch Bridge near the Saint Anthony Falls (the only waterfall on the Mississippi) in Minneapolis. The bridge was built in 1883 by railroad tycoon James J. Hill. It ceased to be used as a railroad bridge in 1978, and after a period of disuse, was later converted in the early 1990s to a pedestrian/bicycle bridge, and is integrated into the city's park and trail system. Its most recent renovations--including indirect lighting--were completed in late 2005. The lighting was paid for by private donations. It is a National Historic Engineering Landmark. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 as a part of the Saint Anthony Falls Historic District, (District #71000438).
When it was in rail service, the bridge carried the Great Northern Railroad's Empire Builder trains. That rail route is the only one to still serve the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, although the only station is in St. Paul, about halfway between the downtown areas of the two cities.
The bridge has been altered somewhat from its original appearance. When the lock and dam was built at Saint Anthony Falls, two of the arches were replaced with a truss so barges could pass through the locks. Later, in 1965, floodwaters undermined three of the piers and caused the bridge to sag. The bridge was repaired by strengthening the piers and reinforcing underneath two of the arches.
During the summer months, the Stone Arch Bridge hosts numerous festivals in the area of St. Anthony Main and Historic Main Street. One of these festivals, Stone Arch Festival of the Arts, is on display every Father's Day weekend and features many local artists. The bridge offers views of the Minneapolis skyline, Pillsbury "A" Mill and many other places in the district. The few historic and not-so-historic restaurants in the area include Pracna on Main Historic Dining Saloon, Tuggs Tavern, Aster Cafe and VIC'S Dining.
See also
References
- Olsen, Byron D. (1998). Great Northern Railway 1945-1970 Photo Archive Volume 2. ISBN 1-882256-79-4
- Mary Charlotte Costello: Climbing the Mississippi River Bridge by Bridge, Volume Two: Minnesota. Adventure Publications, Cambridge, MN 2002, ISBN 0-9644518-2-4.