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| Name | MPL Redwood River Bridge Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway Bridge #59 |
| Built By | Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway |
| Currently Owned By | Minnesota Valley Regional Railroad Authority (Operated by Minnesota Prairie Line, Inc.) |
| Superstructure Contractor | Phoenix Bridge Company of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania |
| Length | 169 Feet Total, 121 Foot Main Span |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 20 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Type | Warren through truss and timber pile trestle |
| Substructure Type | Stone masonry and timber pile |
| Date Built | 1898 |
| Traffic Count | Less than 1 Train/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | Open to Traffic |
| M&StL Bridge Number | 59 |
| Significance | Moderate Significance |
| Documentation Date | 4/1/2018 |
In 1882, the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway Company of Minnesota and Iowa (M&StL) constructed a 93 mile railroad between Hopkins, Minnesota and Morton, Minnesota. At the same time, the Wisconsin, Minnesota & Pacific Railway (WM&P) would construct 123 additional miles of new railroad between Morton and Watertown, South Dakota. The M&StL would reorganize as the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad in 1895. The WM&P sold the Morton to Watertown line to the M&StL in 1899. The line was used as a secondary route, connecting to the M&StL mainline at Hopkins. In 1908, an additional 228 miles would be constructed from Watertown to LeBeau, South Dakota by the Dakota, Minnesota & Pacific Railway Company. Initial work began on a bridge across the Missouri River at LeBeau, but the work was quickly abandoned. This company would be sold to the M&StL in 1912. The M&StL would be reorganized as the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway in the 1920s.
Due to a severe drought, LeBeau became a ghost town, and the line from Akaska to LeBeau was abandoned in 1924, followed by the segment from Conde to Akaska in 1940. In 1960, the M&StL was purchased by the Chicago & North Western Railway (C&NW). The line was often in disrepair, especially after it was purchased by the C&NW. Further abandonments to the line came in 1969, when the segment between Revillo, South Dakota and Watertown, South Dakota was abandoned. In 1970, the line between Madison, Minnesota and Revillo would be abandoned, and the remaining line to Conde would be abandoned in 1977. The Hanley Falls to Madison segment was sold to the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1970, and the portion between Hopkins and Norwood would be abandoned in 1980. The Hopkins to Norwood segment was purchased by Carver and Hennepin Counties, and reused as the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail. By 1982, the remaining segment between Norwood and Hanley Falls was proposed for abandonment, and the Minnesota Valley Regional Railroad Authority purchased the railroad in 1983.
In 1996, the Burlington Northern merged with Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe to form BNSF Railway, the current operators of the Hanley Falls to Madison segment. In 2002, the Minnesota Prairie Line, Inc (MPL) began operations over the Norwood to Hanley Falls segment. MPL is a subsidiary of the Twin Cities & Western Railroad, and the line continues to see upgrades to spur business development.
Located near the station of North Redwood, this unique through truss bridge carries the Minnesota Prairie Line across the Redwood River. Built in 1898, the bridge features a single 121-foot 6-panel skewed riveted Warren through truss span, set onto a stone abutment and a timber pier. Although the bridge originally featured a much larger east approach, only four trestle spans approach the truss on the east end. The truss features a laced portal bracing, and laced members. The design of the truss is in contrast to the nearby Minnesota River Bridge, which features a pin-connected design.
This style of bridge was somewhat uncommon among railroads throughout the United States, as it was often expensive and more difficult to construct. The Phoenix Bridge Company built many truss bridges for the M&StL from 1898 through 1903, also creating a number of highly experimental designs. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with no significant deterioration seen on the truss. However, there is some deterioration on the timber components of this bridge that should be addressed to keep this bridge functional. The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design.
Authors Note: Richard Sears was the station agent at North Redwood during the mid-1880s. He was selling watches from the depot, and later moved to Chicago to expand his business. Sears later joined Alvah R. Roebuck to form the Sears & Roebuck Company, which became a staple of American business. Read more here.
Citations
| Builder and build date | Phoenix Bridge Company order book; part of Phoenix Steel Company records located at the Hagley Museum |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |