Stone Arch Bridge (Minneapolis)

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Stone Arch Bridge
A view of the Stone Arch Bridge from near river level.
Carries	Pedestrian and bicycle lanes; formerly two tracks of the Great Northern Railway
Crosses	Mississippi River
Locale	Minneapolis, Minnesota
Maintained by	Minneapolis Park Board
ID number	27004
Design	21 stone arch spans, plus one steel-deck truss span
Longest span	197.5 feet (channel span)
Total length	2100 feet
Width	28 feet
Clearance below	24.4 feet
Opening date	1883
Bridges over the Mississippi in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Stone Arch Bridge is about center of this image, between 3rd Ave. Bridge and I-35W
Coordinates	44°58′51″N, 93°15′13″W

The Stone Arch Bridge is a former railroad bridge crossing the Mississippi River at Saint Anthony Falls in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Positioned between the 3rd Avenue Bridge and what was the I-35W Bridge,^[1] the Stone Arch Bridge was built in 1883 by railroad tycoon James J. Hill for his Great Northern Railway, and accessed the former passenger station located about a mile to the west, on the west bank of the river. The structure is now used as a pedestrian/bicycle bridge. It is an Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 as a part of the Saint Anthony Falls Historic District, (District #71000438).

Contents 1 Heritage trail plaque 2 History 3 See also 4 References 5 Image gallery: the Stone Arch Bridge 6 External links

[edit] Heritage trail plaque

A plaque near the bridge explains that the bridge was built for the Manitoba Line, which would be used to bring wheat from the Red River valley and Canada to the Minneapolis mills. It remains as a monument to James J. Hill, his vision, and is a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

[edit] History

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.

When it was in rail service, the bridge carried trains of many railroads to and from the Minneapolis Great Northern Depot, including the Great Northern Railroad's Empire Builder. The bridge ceased to be used as a railroad bridge in 1978, and after a period of disuse, was repaired and adapted in the early 1990s to its present use. The bike and walking trails across the bridge are integrated into the city's park and trail system, and form part of the St Anthony Falls Heritage Trail, which includes interpretive plaques describing the history of the area. The most recent renovations--including indirect lighting--were completed in late 2005. The lighting was paid for by private donations.

During the summer months, the Stone Arch Bridge is a focus of numerous festivals in the area of St. Anthony Main and Historic Main Street. The Stone Arch Festival of the Arts occurs Father's Day weekend and features many local artists. Fireworks displays on the Fourth of July and during the Minneapolis Aquatennial in late July also bring crowds; fireworks are launched from nearby Hennepin Island. The bridge offers views of the Minneapolis skyline, Pillsbury "A" Mill, the Mill City Museum, and many other places in the district, and is near both the restaurants of Main St SE and the Guthrie Theater.

[edit] See also

• List of crossings of the Upper Mississippi River

[edit] References

• Olsen, Byron D. (1998). Great Northern Railway 1945-1970 Photo Archive Volume 2. ISBN 1-882256-79-4
• Costello, Mary Charlotte (2002). Climbing the Mississippi River Bridge by Bridge, Volume Two: Minnesota. Cambridge, MN: Adventure Publications. ISBN 0-9644518-2-4. 

[edit] Image gallery: the Stone Arch Bridge

The Stone Arch Bridge at dusk	Aerial view of the Stone Arch Bridge below one of the dams that replaced the Saint Anthony Falls	The Stone Arch Bridge from below	Perhaps the most striking feature of the bridge is its curvature
In 1963 the bridge was disfigured to allow clearance for the upper lock	Segway tours across the bridge provide easy access	Below St. Anthony Falls (before 1892)	Under construction in 1883

[edit] External links

• Stone Arch Bridge, National Park Service
• Stone Arch Bridge, City of Minneapolis
• James J. Hill Stone Arch Bridge in the Structurae database
• Photograph
• Stone Arch Festival of the Arts
• Video documentary This 30 minute documentary film explores the life, death, and rebirth of James J. Hill's remarkable Stone Arch Bridge.
• www.minneapolis-riverfront.com The city's official promotional site for the riverfront district.
• Yesterday's News blog Nov. 24, 1883: A Minneapolis newspaper account of the bridge's opening.

Bridges of the Mississippi River Upstream Third Avenue Bridge Stone Arch Bridge Pedestrian Downstream I-35W Mississippi River Bridge (collapsed) and St. Anthony Falls (35W) Bridge (future)

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