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Soldier Creek Trail Bridge (East)

Through Plate Girder Bridge over Soldier Creek
Fort Dodge, Webster County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Soldier Creek Trail Bridge (East)
Built By Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By City of Fort Dodge
Length 74 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder
Substructure Type Stone Masonry
Date Built Ca. 1895, Relocated Here 1899
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is a Trail)
Current Status Rails to Trails
M&StL Bridge Number 151
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date March 2019


This standard through girder bridge is the middle of three identical structures crossing Soldier Creek on the Fort Dodge Nature Trail.
Built in 1899 using a single through girder relocated from an unknown location, the bridge likely was built in approximately 1895. A faded stenciling says "From", although no more of the stenciling can be read.
It is currently unknown where the bridge came from. Identical bridges are located along the main line, crossing Sand Creek near Jordan, Minnesota.
These structures feature ballasted decks, and stone substructures. The bridge remains in an overall good condition.

The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design of the bridge.
The photo above is an overview. It can be accessed from the trail it carries.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date 1899 Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway Annual Report
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele