Gateway Trail Iron Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gateway Trail Iron Bridge |
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Bridge No. 5721
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The Gateway Trail Iron Bridge from the southeast
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Gateway State Trail over Manning Ave, Stillwater Township, Minnesota |
| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1877 |
| Built by | E.W. Coons, Inc. |
| Architect | Minnesota Highway Department |
| Architectural style | Camelback through truss |
| MPS | Iron and Steel Bridges in Minnesota MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 98000717 |
| Designated NRHP | July 13, 1998 |
The Gateway Trail Iron Bridge is a special old bridge in Stillwater Township, Minnesota. It's a type of bridge called a camelback truss bridge. This means it has a unique shape, like a camel's hump. What makes it extra special is that it's made of wrought iron. This material was used before steel became popular for bridges.
This bridge has been moved three times in Minnesota! It was first built in 1873 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. Then, in 1937, it moved to northern Minnesota and was called the Silverdale Bridge. Finally, in 2011, it moved to its current spot on the Gateway State Trail. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places because it's a rare example of an old wrought iron bridge with cool designs.
Contents
Bridge Design and Features
The main part of the Gateway Trail Iron Bridge is a camelback truss. It's made of wrought iron pieces connected with pins. The bridge is about 160 feet (49 meters) long. It has eight sections, called panels.
You can see pretty designs on the bridge's support beams. These designs are made of latticework, which looks like a crisscross pattern. When the bridge was first built, it had a wooden floor. But in 2011, when it moved, it got a new, lighter concrete floor. This was done so horses could safely cross it. The side railings were kept from its 1937 move. They were adjusted to meet modern safety rules. Also, strong cables were added above the railings. These cables help keep horseback riders and bicyclists safe if they have an accident.
History of the Gateway Bridge
First Location: Sauk Centre
The Gateway Trail Iron Bridge was first built in 1873. It crossed the Sauk River in the city of Sauk Centre. It was on Main Street and was used by horse-drawn buggies. After some time, the bridge was taken apart and stored in Sauk Centre.
Second Location: Koochiching County
In 1937, the bridge was put back together. It was moved to Koochiching County, Minnesota, near a town called Silverdale. There, it carried Minnesota State Highway 65 over the Little Fork River. By this time, steel was the popular material for bridges. So, new steel parts were added to the ends of the bridge. In 1998, this bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Third Location: Gateway State Trail
After a few years, it became clear that the bridge was too old for heavy traffic. Big logging trucks in northern Minnesota were too much for it. In 2006, experts decided the bridge was still good but not for busy highways. They thought it could be used somewhere less busy.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources worked together. They looked for a new home for the bridge. They found a perfect spot on the Gateway State Trail. This trail is a path for walking, biking, and horses. The bridge was taken apart again in 2009. It was stored while the new site was made ready. In May 2011, the bridge was put into place. Now, it's used by people walking, biking, and riding horses. This is much like its first use over 100 years ago!
