Picture a time when Minneapolis was rapidly growing. The Hennepin Avenue Bridge was the only thoroughfare for commuters. It became overused and desperately needed upkeep. That’s when James J. Hill stepped in to change the landscape with what we know today as the Stone Arch Bridge.
This isn’t just any bridge. The Stone Arch Bridge is the only arched bridge made of stone on the entire Mississippi River. This bridge stands as a testament to Minneapolis’s history.
Completed in 1883, the Stone Arch Bridge cost $650000 at the time. That is about $21.3 million today. Railroad tycoon James J. Hill built it for his Great Northern Railway. For a while, people called it Hill’s Folly. They didn’t understand its value as a passenger rail link.
Imagine the bustling city in 1880. Commerce thrived mostly on the west bank of the Mississippi. Smaller businesses were up and coming on the east. The city needed a solution to accommodate the heavy flow of traffic. Hill’s idea was to build a railroad depot similar to St. Paul Union Depot. It would connect to the Manitoba Road tracks. This would eventually develop into the Great Northern Railway.
The initial planning happened near the end of 1881. The project included building a terminal in downtown Minneapolis. It would connect the rails to the Manitoba Railway. The Minneapolis Union Railway company oversaw the project. Col Charles C. Smith was selected as the head engineer.
The Stone Arch Bridge has been altered somewhat from its original appearance. When the Upper Lock and Dam were built at Saint Anthony Falls, two arches were replaced. A moveable truss allowed barges to pass through the lock. Later, in 1965, flood waters undermined three piers. The bridge sagged fourteen inches. The piers were strengthened to repair the bridge. They also reinforced underneath two arches.
When it was in rail service, the Stone Arch Bridge carried trains of many railroads. These trains went to and from the Minneapolis Great Northern Depot. The bridge ceased to be a railroad bridge in 1978. After a period of disuse, it was repaired. In the early 1990s, it was adapted to its present use.
Today, the Stone Arch Bridge is a pedestrian and bicycle bridge. The bike and walking trails across the bridge are integrated into the city’s park and trail system. They form part of the St Anthony Falls Heritage Trail. Interpretive plaques describe the history of the area. The most recent renovations included indirect lighting. These were completed in late 2005.
During the summer months, the Stone Arch Bridge is a focus of numerous festivals. These festivals take place in the area of St Anthony Main and Historic Main Street. The Stone Arch Festival of the Arts occurs Father’s Day weekend. Fireworks displays on the Fourth of July and during the Minneapolis Aquatennial also bring crowds. Fireworks are launched from nearby Hennepin Island. The bridge offers views of the Minneapolis skyline, Pillsbury A Mill, and the Mill City Museum.
The Stone Arch Bridge stands as a monument to James J. Hill and his vision. It is a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Take a moment to appreciate the history and engineering. Consider its importance to the growth and development of Minneapolis. As you cross this iconic structure, remember the visionaries who shaped the city.