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Rock Falls Stone Arch (North)

Stone Arch Bridge over Spring Creek
Rock Falls, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Rock Falls Stone Arch (North)
Built By Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway
Quarry Cedar Valley Quarry of Cedar Valley, Iowa
Engineer Elmer J.C. Bealer
Currently Owned By Iowa Northern Railroad
Length 8 Feet (Estimated)
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 4 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Stone Arch
Substructure Type Stone Masonry
Date Built 1886
Traffic Count 3 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date March 2014 and April 2021


Located in Rock Falls near River Street, this small stone arch culvert crosses Spring Creek.
Built in 1886, the bridge was designed by Elmer J.C. Bealer, and was constructed of stone quarried at Cedar Valley, Iowa.
The arch features a unique design. While most railroads adopted standardized arches for most arch culverts, this crossing required a unique skew design, with unusual wing walls.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. The only noted defects were to the lining inside the arch and some general spalling of stone.

The author has rated this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the unusual and unique design.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Date Stamp
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele