Located near a former whistle stop known as Nowlin is a unique truss with an equally unique back story.
While South Dakota may have a number of Quadrangular Through Truss bridges, few have a relocation history.
Many frugal railroads believed heavily in relocating bridges from main lines to branch lines as a form of recycling. When a bridge at Winona, Minnesota was replaced in 1927 and 1928, 11 truss spans would be relocated to the Black Hills Division.
This span is believed to have originally been constructed in Winona in 1886. It is a prime example of a "Winona Type B" span.
Compared to the Type A Spans, this bridge features no skew, normal endposts and a pedimented portal bracing that comes to an angle.
Measuring in at 142 Feet 2 Inches long, six similar spans exist or have existed along the Black Hills Division of the C&NW. The Winona Bridge produced 6 spans of this style, confirming each of these spans came from Winona.
When erected here in 1928, the bridge replaced an earlier wooden Howe Truss, constructed in 1907.
Currently, the bridge sits on steel tube substructures and is approached by trestle spans on both ends.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition. During the Canadian Pacific days, the bridge was rehabilitated by replacing some rivets. In addition, the span was remodeled during the early 20th century when it was at its Winona location.
The author has ranked this bridge as being highly significant, due to the relocation history and age.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge was accessed with permission.
| Upstream | RCP&E Bad River Bridge #3 |
| Downstream | RCP&E Bad River Bridge #5 |