View source for Stone Arch Bridge (Minneapolis)

{{Short description|Bridge crossing the Mississippi river in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox Bridge
|bridge_name=Stone Arch Bridge
|image=Mill_City_Museum_20_view_of_Stone_Arch_bridge.jpg
|official_name=
|crosses=[[Mississippi River]]
|carries=Pedestrian and bicycle lanes; formerly two tracks of the [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern Railway]]
|locale=[[Minneapolis, Minnesota]]
|design=21 [[Arch bridge|stone arch spans]], plus one steel-deck [[truss bridge|truss span]]
|mainspan={{convert|197.5|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} (channel span)
|length={{convert|2100|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}}
|width={{convert|28|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}}
|below={{convert|24.4|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}}
|open=1883
|maint=Minneapolis Park Board
|id=27004
|coordinates={{coord|44|58|51|N|93|15|13|W|region:US-MN_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|extra={{Infobox NRHP
| name = Stone Arch Bridge 
| embed = yes
| partof = St. Anthony Falls Historic District
| nrhp_type = cp | nocat = yes
| image =
| caption =
| location= [[Minneapolis|Minneapolis, MN]]
| locmapin = Minnesota#USA
| area =
| built =
| architect= 
| designated_nrhp_type = March 11, 1971
| partof_refnum=71000438 <ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2006a}}</ref>
}}
|lat=
|long=
|clearance=
|traffic=
|closed=
|toll=
|image_caption=A view of the bridge from downtown Minneapolis}}

The '''Stone Arch Bridge''' is a former railroad bridge crossing the [[Mississippi River]] at [[Saint Anthony Falls]] in downtown [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]]. It is the only arched bridge made of stone on the entire Mississippi River. It is the second oldest bridge on the river next to [[Eads Bridge]].<ref name="AIA Guide to the Twin Cities" />  The bridge was built to connect the railway system to the new Union Depot, which at that time was planned to be built between Hennepin Avenue and Nicollet Avenue. The bridge was completed in 1883, costing $650,000 at the time (${{formatprice|{{inflation|USD|650000|1883}}}} today).<ref>{{cite web|title=Stone Arch Bridge|url=http://www.mrdbridges.com/stoneArch.php|publisher=Minneapolis Riverfront District|access-date=October 21, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115182050/http://mrdbridges.com/stoneArch.php|archive-date=November 15, 2013}}</ref> 117 Portland Avenue is the general address of the historic complex.
[[File:Stone Arch Bridge cyclists and pedestrians. (March 8, 2020).jpg|left|thumb|Stone Arch Bridge in 2020.]]
Located between the 3rd Avenue Bridge and the [[I-35W Saint Anthony Falls Bridge]],<ref>Brandt, Steve. (May 31, 1989) [[Star Tribune]] ''Hennepin considers buying Stone Arch bridge.'' Section news; Page 7B</ref> the Stone Arch Bridge was built in 1883 by railroad tycoon [[James J. Hill]] for his [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern Railway]], and accessed the former passenger station located about a mile to the west, on the west bank of the river. 
For a time, the bridge was dubbed "Hill's Folly" until the value of Hill's new bridge as a passenger rail link became evident.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gngoat.org/stone_arch_bridge.htm| title = Stone Arch Bridge}}</ref>

The structure is now used as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge. It was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1971 as a part of the [[Saint Anthony Falls]] Historic District, (District #71000438). The bridge was designated as a [[National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark]] in 1974.<ref name="MNopedia Minnesota Encyclopedia" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=152946 |title=Stone Arch Bridge - Great Northern Railway Historical Marker |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=The Historical Marker Database |access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref>

==History==
In 1880, Minneapolis was a bustling city with major commerce mostly located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, while smaller, up-and-coming businesses were on the east. With the merging of the Village of St. Anthony on the east side, Minneapolis continuously grew in population, and the Hennepin Avenue suspension bridge served as the sole thoroughfare for commuters and pedestrians. At that time, the Hennepin Avenue bridge was overused and in desperate need of upkeep. The city's network of railroads, which was crucial for urbanization, was also located on the east side of the river. With the rapid increase in commercialization, Minneapolis businessmen sought a plan to accommodate the heavy flow of traffic, and immediately considered the railroad mogul James J. Hill for the task. The idea was to build a railroad depot, similar to the St. Paul Union Depot, along the intersections of Hennepin Avenue and Nicollet Avenue in downtown Minneapolis, which would also connect to the Manitoba Road tracks, eventually developing into the Great Northern Railway.<ref name="AIA Guide to the Twin Cities">{{cite book|last=Millett|first=Larry|title=AIA Guide to the Twin Cities: Essential Source on the Architecture of Minneapolis and St. Paul|year=2007|publisher=Minnesota Historical Society Press|location=St. Paul|isbn=978-0873515405|page=62|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T9axsT5T8fcC}}</ref>
[[File:Stone Arch Bridge under construction.jpg|thumb|left|Stone Arch Bridge under construction]]
The initial planning was conducted during a meeting held near the end of 1881. The project would include building a terminal in downtown Minneapolis and connecting the rails to the Manitoba Railway, the execution for which was accomplished by the Minneapolis Union Railway company, a team that was built for the sole purpose of overseeing the project. The stockholders met for the first time immediately the following year and Col. Charles C. Smith was selected as the head engineer.

The bridge has been altered somewhat from its original appearance. When the [[Saint Anthony Falls#Locks and dams|Upper Lock and Dam]] were built at Saint Anthony Falls, two of the arches were replaced with a moveable truss so barges could pass through the lock. Later, in 1965, flood waters undermined three of the piers and caused the bridge to sag fourteen inches.<ref name="MNopedia Minnesota Encyclopedia" />  The bridge was repaired by strengthening the piers and reinforcing underneath two of the arches.<ref>{{cite book|last=Olsen|first=Byron D.|year=1998|title=Great Northern Railway 1945-1970 Photo Archive Volume 2|isbn=1-882256-79-4}}</ref>

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 Railway'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.<ref name="Stone Arch Bridge Festival">{{cite web|title=Stone Arch Bridge Festival|url=http://www.stonearchbridgefestival.com/|accessdate=November 13, 2013}}</ref> 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]].

===Timeline===
The Minnesota Historical Society and the Great Northern Railway provided the following important historical timeline:
 
'''1881''' - James J. Hill commissioned the Stone Arch Bridge project <ref name="MNopedia Minnesota Encyclopedia" />

'''1882''' - The initial stockholders meeting was held and Col. Charles C. Smith was assigned as the construction's head engineer

'''1883''' - After 22 months of intensive work, the Stone Arch Bridge was completed <ref name="MNopedia Minnesota Encyclopedia" />

'''1885''' - The Union Depot at the heart of Minneapolis was completed and substantially increased the passenger volume

[[File:Pg_55_St_Anthony%27s_falls.jpg|thumb|An illustration of [[Saint Anthony Falls]] and the Stone Arch Bridge from the 1893 book ''The Official Northern Pacific Railroad Guide'']]
'''1907-1911''' - Renovations were done to improve the bridge's drainage system and strengthen its structural support in order to transport heavier loads

'''1913''' - The new Great Northern Depot, north of Hennepin Avenue,  replaced the Union Depot<ref name="Nomination">{{cite web 
|last1=Coddington |first1=Donn |last2=Hess |first2=Jeffrey |title=Nomination of the St. Anthony Falls Historic District to be on the National Register of Historic Places |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/0cbb35f0-93c3-456e-a3b9-8027e70f9757 |website= (1971, 1991) |publisher=US-DOI-NPS |accessdate=March 1, 2023 |page=pdf 133, 201–202}}
</ref>

'''1925''' - Another renovation conducted to increase the width to allow bigger trains that would house more passengers<ref name="MNopedia Minnesota Encyclopedia" />

'''1961- 1963''' - The lock and dam was built at St. Anthony falls which required arch number 13 and 14 to be replaced with a 200-foot Warren truss and allow barges to pass <ref name="Minnesota Bound">{{cite web|title=Stone Arch Bridge St. Anthony Falls Minneapolis, Minnesota|url=http://www.minnesotabound.com/visit/StoneArchBridge/|publisher=Minnesota Bound|accessdate=November 16, 2013}}</ref>

'''1965''' - The bridge underwent renovation when the Mississippi River flooded, causing the seventh pier to sink about 14 inches
[[File:Stone Arch Bridge with low water level.jpg|thumb|The bridge in 2020 when the Army Corps of Engineers manipulated an upstream dam to lower the river level.]]
'''1971''' - The bridge became part of the National Register of Historic Places <ref name="MNopedia Minnesota Encyclopedia" />

'''1978''' - The last passenger train crossed the Stone Arch Bridge <ref name="MNopedia Minnesota Encyclopedia" />

'''1978''' - The Great Northern Depot was razed<ref name="Nomination"/>

'''1989''' - The bridge was bought by the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority <ref name="Minnesota Bound" />

'''1992''' - The ownership was transferred to Minnesota Department of Transportation <ref name="Minnesota Bound" />

'''1994''' - The bridge was converted into a biking/walking path by the Minneapolis Park Board <ref name="MNopedia Minnesota Encyclopedia" />

==Design and construction==
[[File:St. Anthony's Falls and Milling District, Minneapolis, Minn (NYPL b12647398-68703).tiff|thumb|Early 20th century]]
The Stone Arch Bridge, commissioned by James J Hill and designed by Charles C Smith, was built between 1882 and 1883. Hill originally intended to build an iron bridge spanning the Mississippi at Nicollet Island, but Smith discovered that pursuing that design would be detrimental to St Anthony Falls’ eroding sandstone.<ref name="Minnesota Historical Society">{{cite web|title=Railroad Properties: Stone Arch Bridge (in the St. Anthony Falls Historic District)|url=http://nrhp.mnhs.org/property_overview.cfm?propertyID=79|work=Minnesota Historical Society|accessdate=November 13, 2013}}</ref> Smith's design was pioneering and the signature arches were designed to account for the falls and the surrounding topography. The stone used to make the bridge was locally sourced, including granite from Sauk Rapids for the piers and magnesium limestone from Mankato and Iowa for the upper portion.<ref name="MNopedia Minnesota Encyclopedia">{{cite encyclopedia|title=Stone Arch Bridge, Minneapolis|url=http://www.mnopedia.org/structure/stone-arch-bridge-minneapolis|encyclopedia=MNopedia Minnesota Encyclopedia|accessdate=November 6, 2013}}</ref>

In the 130 years of its existence the bridge has undergone a number of upgrades and repairs. In 1925 the width of the bridge was increased to allow for larger railcars. Then in 1994 the bridge was converted to a pedestrian walkway.<ref name="MNopedia Minnesota Encyclopedia"/>

The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced that the bridge would be closing from December 2024 until Fall 2025. The bridge will undergo mortar repair, and replacement of several rocks and stones as needed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis Project - MnDOT |url=https://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/stonearchbridge/index.html |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=www.dot.state.mn.us |language=en}}</ref>

==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 of the North|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]].

==See also==
*[[List of crossings of the Upper Mississippi River]]
*[[List of shared-use paths in Minneapolis]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}


* {{cite book
 | last = Costello
 | first = Mary Charlotte
 | authorlink = 
 | year = 2002
 | title = Climbing the Mississippi River Bridge by Bridge, Volume Two: Minnesota
 | publisher = Adventure Publications
 | location = Cambridge, MN
 | isbn = 0-9644518-2-4}}

==Image gallery: the Stone Arch Bridge==

<gallery>

Image:Minneapolis_and_St_Anthony.gif| Minneapolis and St. Anthony Village before Stone Arch Bridge
Image:SAB-under_construction.jpg|Under construction in 1883
Image:Stone Arch Bridge under construction.jpg|Stone Arch Bridge During Construction
Image:Stone bridge over the Mississippi, Minneapolis, Minn. c1905.jpg|Stone arch bridge c1905
Image:stonearchtruss.jpg|In 1963 two of the arches were replaced with a moveable truss so barges could pass through the new lock.
Image:Bridge below St Anthony Falls.jpg|Below St. Anthony Falls (before 1892)
Image:Minneapolis-MN-stone-arch-bridge.jpg|The Stone Arch Bridge at dusk
Image:Downtown Minneapolis at night.JPG| View of downtown Minneapolis from Stone Arch Bridge
Image:Saint Anthony Falls aerial.jpg|Aerial view of the Stone Arch Bridge below one of the dams that replaced the Saint Anthony Falls
Image:Archesreflection.jpg|The Stone Arch Bridge from below
Image:Minneapolis Old Stone Arch Bridge Curve.jpg|Perhaps the most striking feature of the bridge is its curvature
Image:MNSegways.jpg|[[Segway PT|Segway]] tours across the bridge provide easy access
Image:2008-0705-MPLStour-StAnthonyFalls-PAN.jpg|High-res panoramic photo from the new Water Power Park and the lower portion of Saint Anthony Falls
Image:MillsDistrict-MPLS-1895.jpg|[[Mills District, Minneapolis|Mills District lithograph showing the bridge]]
Image:Stone arch bridge pano.jpg|Panoramic photo from the ferry
</gallery>

==External links==
{{Commons category|Stone Arch Bridge (Minneapolis)}} 
*[https://www.nps.gov/miss/planyourvisit/stonarch.htm Stone Arch Bridge], National Park Service
* {{Structurae|id=20003617|title=James J. Hill Stone Arch Bridge}} 
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040622223440/http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/bridges/csab1.html Photograph]
*[http://www.stonearchfestival.com Stone Arch Festival of the Arts]
*[http://www.minneapolis-riverfront.com/ Minneapolis-riverfront.com] The city's official promotional site for the riverfront district.
*[http://rackphoto.com/pp/2012/07/24/st-anthony-falls-stone-arch-bridge-minneapolis/ Interactive 360 Degree Virtual Tour featuring the Stone Arch Bridge]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WY2nsck6Gs VIDEO: Hill's Folly: James J Hill and the Stone Arch Bridge]
*[[File:J.J. Hill and the Stone Arch Bridge.pdf|thumb|left]]

{{Crossings navbox
|structure       = Crossings
|place           = [[Mississippi River]]
|bridge          = Stone Arch Bridge
|bridge signs    = Pedestrian
|upstream        = [[Third Avenue Bridge (Minneapolis)|Third Avenue Bridge]]
|upstream signs  = [[Image:MN-65.svg|20px]]
|downstream      = [[I-35W Mississippi River bridge]] (collapsed)<br />and<br /> [[I-35W Saint Anthony Falls Bridge]]
|downstream signs = [[Image:I-35W.svg|25px]]
}}
{{Registered Historic Places}}
{{Mississippi National River and Recreation Area}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Bridges completed in 1883]]
[[Category:Bridges in Minneapolis]]
[[Category:Railroad bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Bridges over the Mississippi River]]
[[Category:Cyclist bridges in the United States]]
[[Category:Former railway bridges in the United States]]
[[Category:Great Northern Railway (U.S.) bridges]]
[[Category:Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks]]
[[Category:Mississippi Gorge]]
[[Category:Mississippi National River and Recreation Area]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Minneapolis]]
[[Category:Pedestrian bridges in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Railroad bridges in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Viaducts in the United States]]
[[Category:Historic district contributing properties in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Stone arch bridges in the United States]]
[[Category:1883 establishments in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Shared-use paths in Minneapolis]]