Minnesota and International Railway Trestle at Blackduck facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Minnesota and International Railway Trestle at Blackduck
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 0.25 miles (0.40 km) north of junction CSAH 39, Blackduck, |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1901 |
| NRHP reference No. | 13001144 |
| Added to NRHP | February 5, 2014 |
The Minnesota and International Railway Trestle at Blackduck was once the longest wooden bridge of its kind in Minnesota. It was built in 1901 and 1902 in Beltrami County, Minnesota. This special bridge helped trains cross a difficult marsh and a creek near Blackduck, Minnesota.
This historic trestle was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. This means it is recognized as an important part of history.
Building a Big Bridge
The Minnesota and International Railway built this long bridge. This railway was a part of the bigger Northern Pacific Railroad. The bridge was a key part of a train line. This line connected Koochiching (now International Falls) and Bemidji, Minnesota.
The bridge was built low to the ground. It stretched for about 701 feet (210 m), which is longer than two football fields! Its great length and strong base were special.
From Trains to Trails
After the trains stopped using the railway, the trestle found a new purpose. It became part of the Blue Ox Trail. This trail is a "rails to trails" project. It means old railway lines are turned into paths for fun activities.
Today, the Blue Ox Trail is used by hikers. People also use it for snowmobiling in the winter. It's a great way for people to enjoy nature.
A Fire and Future Plans
In April 2015, a part of the trestle was badly damaged. More than one-third of the bridge was burned on purpose. This was a sad event for the community.
Since then, people have been working hard. They are trying to raise money. The goal is to rebuild the part of the bridge that was destroyed. This will help keep the Blue Ox Trail complete for everyone to enjoy.
