Photo Set

Stone Arch Bridge

The 1883 James J. Hill railroad bridge spanning the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls, now a pedestrian and bicycle crossing

Stone Arch BridgeMinneapolis, MN

The Stone Arch Bridge crosses the Mississippi River just below St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis, carried on 23 granite and limestone arches that curve to follow the original railway alignment. James J. Hill completed it in 1883 for his Great Northern Railway, and at roughly 2,100 feet it was the longest stone arch railroad bridge in the world.

Hill built the bridge to connect his rail network directly to downtown Minneapolis, routing freight and passengers across the river to his depot near what is now the Mill District. Trains ran on it for nearly a century before service ended in 1978, after which the structure sat unused until the city converted it to a pedestrian and bicycle crossing in 1994. It is now managed as part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of the few surviving curved masonry-arch railroad bridges in the country.

The bridge has not been without disruption in recent years. In the early hours of May 30, 2020, it stood as a backdrop to smoke rising over downtown Minneapolis during the protests that followed the killing of George Floyd. In the summer of 2023, the National Park Service closed it overnight between 10 PM and 6 AM following reports of late-night criminal activity, with chain-link fencing and locks installed at its entrances. By 2024, it was closed for several summers to allow structural repairs essential to its long-term preservation.

Stone Arch Bridge's illuminated stone arches span the Mississippi River at night with Minneapolis skyline beyond. — *June 1, 2024* — The Stone Arch Bridge, a former railroad bridge constructed in 1883, is undergoing repairs. The bridge, which spans the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, is closed to the public for several summers to facilitate this work.

Pedestrians and cyclists walk and ride across the Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis with historic brick buildings behind. — *March 12, 2024* — Pedestrians and cyclists traverse the Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis during March 2024. Constructed in 1883 by railroad magnate James J. Hill, this historic structure was originally built for the Great Northern Railway and remains the only stone arch bridge spanning the Mississippi River.

Padlocked chain secures a closed gate at the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis, with blurred city lights visible behind the mesh fence at night. — *July 1, 2023* — The Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis is secured with a chain and lock, preventing public access. This closure followed reports of late-night crime concerns.

Pedestrians stand at a locked gate blocking the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis during an overnight closure. — *July 1, 2023* — The Stone Arch Bridge in Downtown Minneapolis is closed overnight from June 30 to July 5, 10 PM to 6 AM.

Two figures stand silhouetted at a chain-link gate blocking the closed Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis at night. — *July 1, 2023* — The Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis is temporarily closed to the public, as indicated by a sign on a chain-link fence.

Orange construction signage announces overnight closure of the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis from June 30 to July 5, 10 PM to 6 AM. — *June 30, 2023* — Temporary signage indicates overnight closures of the Stone Arch Bridge in Downtown Minneapolis from June 30 to July 5, between 10 PM and 6 AM.

Stone Arch Bridge crosses the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis with white-water rapids visible below. — *April 25, 2023* — The Stone Arch Bridge crosses the Mississippi River just below St. Anthony Falls, connecting downtown Minneapolis to the Marcy-Holmes and St. Anthony West neighborhoods. James J. Hill built it in 1883 for his Great Northern Railway, using granite and limestone arches to carry trains across the river to his depot. The bridge stretches roughly 2,100 feet and rests on 23 arches, several set at a curve to align with the railway's approach.

Stone Arch Bridge's arches span turbulent Mississippi River waters in Minneapolis. — *April 25, 2023* — The Stone Arch Bridge, completed in 1883, spans the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Originally built by railroad magnate James J. Hill, it served as a vital transportation link for the Great Northern Railway.

A horse-drawn carriage travels across the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis with the city skyline in the background. — *July 24, 2022* — A horse-drawn carriage traverses the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis, with the city's downtown skyline in the background. Constructed in 1883, the bridge originally served as a railway bridge for the Great Northern Railway before its conversion to a pedestrian and bicycle path, reopening in 1994.

People walk and gather on the Stone Arch Bridge spanning the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, with historic brick industrial buildings and mill smokestacks visible in the background. — *June 18, 2022* — The Stone Arch Bridge spans the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis, linking the city's east and west banks near St. Anthony Falls. Built in 1883 by railroad magnate James J. Hill for his Great Northern Railway, it was the only span of its kind on the upper Mississippi, built with 23 stone and granite arches to carry trains rather than road traffic. The bridge now serves as a pedestrian and bicycle crossing within the Mississippi Mile trail system.

The Stone Arch Bridge spans the Mississippi River in Minneapolis at sunset with the city skyline beyond. — *April 8, 2022* — The Stone Arch Bridge, a historic 2,300-foot-long stone arch bridge spanning the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Constructed in 1883, it was once the longest stone arch bridge in the world and served as a vital railway bridge for the Great Northern Railway.

Wooden staircase under dismantling near the Stone Arch Bridge alongside the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. — *April 4, 2022* — Wooden stairs being dismantled near the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis, adjacent to the Mississippi River. Originally constructed in 1883, the Stone Arch Bridge served as a vital railway crossing for the Great Northern Railway. It was later repurposed and opened to the public in 1992 as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge.

Stone Arch Bridge spanning the Mississippi River with illuminated downtown Minneapolis skyline at night. — *May 30, 2020* — The Stone Arch Bridge spans the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Built in 1883 as a railroad bridge, the structure is a prominent historic landmark along the riverfront near St. Anthony Falls.

Pedestrians walk on the Stone Arch Bridge with an orange railing, overlooking stone foundation and Minneapolis grain silos. — *June 28, 2019* — The Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, spans the Mississippi River. Originally constructed in 1883 by the St. Paul & Minneapolis Railroad. Today it's a pedestrian walkway and bicycle path.

The Stone Arch Bridge spans the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, illuminated at dusk with the city skyline beyond. — *October 30, 2013* — The Stone Arch Bridge, a historic railroad bridge spanning the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Constructed between 1881 and 1883, the bridge was built for the Great Northern Railway.

Stone Arch Bridge

Minneapolis Photographer