- 1881: 45 miles completed from Eagle Grove to Bradgate, Iowa by the Toledo and Northwestern Railway
- 1882: 115 miles completed from Bradgate to Hawarden, Iowa by the Toledo and Northwestern Railway
- 1883: 125 miles completed from Hawarden to Iroqouis, South Dakota by the Dakota Central Railway
- 1890: Toledo and Northwestern Railway purchased by the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1900: Dakota Central Railway purchased by the Winona and St. Peter Railroad
- 1900: Winona and St. Peter Railroad purchased by the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1974: Hawarden to Orange City segment abandoned
- 1978: Iroquois to Beresford segment abandoned
- 1978: Alton to Marathon segment abandoned
- 1980: Beresford to Hawarden segment sold to South Dakota
- 1981: D&I Railroad begins operations on Beresford branch
- 1982: Alton to Orange City segment abandoned
- 1988: Rolfe to Eagle Grove segment abandoned
- 1995: Chicago & North Western purchased by Union Pacific Railroad
- 2020: South Dakota sells Beresford-Hawarden segment to D&I Railroad
- 1981-present: D&I Railroad operates Beresford branch
- 1988-present: Three Rivers Trail uses Eagle Grove to Rolfe segment
- 1995-present: Union Pacific operates Laurens Subdivision from Marathon to Rolfe
06/26/21
This large scale Quadrangular Through Truss Bridge crosses the Big Sioux River at Hawarden.
Built in 1904 and expanded in 1913, this bridge features riveted connections, and large A-Frame portals on the trusses. The trusses are different sizes as well, with two being 143' and one being 144'.
In addition, a long string of 13 deck girder spans approach on the west. It is set parallel to 10th Street.
All the substructures on the bridge are constructed of stone blocks. Overall, the bridge appears to be in very good condition.
The author has ranked the bridge as moderately significant, due to the age and the somewhat unique design. Long strings of Quadrangular Trusses are rarely seen in Iowa.
The photo above is an overview.
| Upstream | Hawarden Rail Bridge (North) |
| Downstream | Elk Point Rail Bridge |