This is a very famous bridge site! This is where Kate Shelley crawled across the Des Moines River on that stormy 1881 night.
The bridge ruins contain stone and concrete. This bridge was not the original bridge. It was built in 1894 replacing an 1870s one.
The bridge was removed (and possibly reused) in 1930. Today, all that remains are the substructures.
As seen in 1930, the bridge consisted of a large 8-panel pin connected Parker Through Truss, a 6-panel pin connected Pratt Through Truss and a pair of deck girders on either side.
Boone County owns the railroad grade and it is a walking trail today. Beware-it can get muddy!
The author has ranked the bridge as being moderately significant, due to the unique history at this location.
The photo above is looking from the west abutment.
| Upstream | Kate Shelley High Bridge |
| Downstream | High Trestle Trail Bridge |