Stone Arch Bridge (Minneapolis)

Infobox_Bridge
bridge_name=Stone Arch Bridge


caption=A view of the Stone Arch Bridge from near river level.
official_name=
crosses=Mississippi River
carries=Pedestrian and bicycle lanes; formerly two tracks of the Great Northern Railway
locale=Minneapolis, Minnesota
design=21 stone arch spans, plus one steel-deck truss span
mainspan=197.5 feet (channel span)
length=2100 feet
width=28 feet
below=24.4 feet
open=1883
maint=Minneapolis Park Board
id=27004
coordinates=coord|44|58|51|N|93|15|13|W|region:US_type:landmark
lat=
long=
clearance=
traffic=
closed=
toll=
map_cue=Bridges over the Mississippi in Minneapolis/St. Paul.
map_

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map_text=Stone Arch Bridge is about center of this image, between 3rd Ave. Bridge and I-35W
map_width=300px

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, [Brandt, Steve. (May 31, 1989) Star Tribune "Hennepin considers buying Stone Arch bridge." Section news; Page 7B] 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).

Heritage trail plaque

A plaque near the bridge explains that the bridge was built for the "Manitoba Line" (St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway), 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.

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.

ee also

*List of crossings of the Upper Mississippi River

References

* Olsen, Byron D. (1998). "Great Northern Railway 1945-1970 Photo Archive Volume 2". ISBN 1-882256-79-4
* cite book
last = Costello
first = Mary Charlotte
authorlink =
coauthors =
year = 2002
title = Climbing the Mississippi River Bridge by Bridge, Volume Two: Minnesota
publisher = Adventure Publications
location = Cambridge, MN
id = ISBN 0-9644518-2-4

Image gallery: the Stone Arch Bridge

External links

* [http://www.nps.gov/miss/planyourvisit/stonarch.htm Stone Arch Bridge] , National Park Service
* [http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/about/stonearch.asp Stone Arch Bridge] , City of Minneapolis
*
* [http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/bridges/csab1.html Photograph]
* [http://www.stonearchfestival.com Stone Arch Festival of the Arts]
* [http://www.isd518.net/ALC/history/Stonearchbridge-home.htm Video documentary] This 30 minute documentary film explores the life, death, and rebirth of James J. Hill's remarkable Stone Arch Bridge.
* [http://www.minneapolis-riverfront.com/ www.minneapolis-riverfront.com] The city's official promotional site for the riverfront district.
* [http://ww3.startribune.com/blogs/oldnews/archives/211 Yesterday's News blog] Nov. 24, 1883: A Minneapolis newspaper account of the bridge's opening.

Crossings navbox
structure = Bridges
place = Mississippi River
bridge = Stone Arch Bridge
bridge signs = Pedestrian
upstream = Third Avenue Bridge
upstream signs =
downstream = St. Anthony Falls (35W) Bridge
downstream signs =