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 Bridge — Minneapolis, 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.

Construction work at the Stone Arch Bridge — *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. The repairs are essential for the preservation of this historic structure, which is a significant piece of the city's industrial past.

Downtown skyline behind locked security fence — *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 criminal activity in the vicinity. Originally constructed in 1883, the Stone Arch Bridge served as a vital railway crossing for the Great Northern Railway and is a significant example of 19th-century engineering. It was later repurposed as a pedestrian and bicycle path, offering views of the Mississippi River and the downtown Minneapolis skyline.

Pedestrians look through fence of closed bridge — *July 1, 2023* — The Stone Arch Bridge in Downtown Minneapolis is closed overnight from June 30 to July 5, 10 PM to 6 AM. The bridge, originally built in 1883 for the Great Northern Railway, is a significant piece of Minneapolis's industrial history and a popular pedestrian and bicycle path today. The closures were implemented following reports of late-night crime, a measure taken to ensure public safety.

Closed Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis — *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. The bridge, originally constructed in 1883 for the Great Northern Railway, served as a vital transportation link for decades. After its operational life, it was repurposed and opened as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge in 1994, becoming a popular destination for recreation and offering views of the Mississippi River and the city's skyline. The closure, scheduled from June 30 to July 3, 2023, suggests ongoing maintenance or security measures.

Stone Arch Bridge closure sign in 2023 — *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. The bridge, originally constructed in 1883 for the Great Northern Railway, is now a pedestrian and bicycle path managed by the National Park Service.

Stone Arch Bridge spans the Mississippi River with turbulent white-water rapids below in Minneapolis. — *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. Trains stopped running on it in 1978, and the city converted it to a pedestrian and bicycle crossing in 1994. It's now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains one of the few surviving examples of a curved masonry-arch railroad bridge in the country.

Heavy water flowing under Stone Arch Bridge — *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. The bridge's distinctive stone arches are a testament to the era's engineering and architectural styles. Today, it is a pedestrian walkway and a popular spot for viewing the St. Anthony Falls.

People on the Stone Arch Bridge over the Mississippi River in Downtown Minneapolis — *June 18, 2022* — The Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis, completed in 1883, spans the Mississippi River. Originally constructed by railroad magnate James J. Hill to connect his Great Northern Railway with the East Coast, it was the longest of its kind in the world at the time of its completion. The bridge's construction utilized locally quarried limestone for its piers and a combination of steel and stone for its structure. Today, the bridge is a pedestrian walkway and a popular destination for visitors and locals, offering views of the river and the city's historic mill district.

Stone Arch Bridge Sunset over the Mississippi River — *April 8, 2022* — The Stone Arch Bridge, a historic 2,300-foot-long stone arch bridge spanning the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. Today, the bridge is part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and is a popular destination for pedestrians and cyclists, offering views of the St. Anthony Falls and the downtown Minneapolis skyline.

Stairs being removed next to Stone Arch Bridge — *April 4, 2022* — Wooden stairs are 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, becoming a prominent feature of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. The removal of these stairs suggests ongoing maintenance or modification of the parkland surrounding this historic structure.

Stone Arch Bridge and downtown Minneapolis at night over the Mississippi River. — *May 30, 2020* — The Stone Arch Bridge spans the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, with the downtown skyline illuminated at night behind it. Built in 1883 as a railroad bridge, the structure is a prominent historic landmark along the riverfront near St. Anthony Falls. This photograph was made in the early hours of May 30, 2020, during the days of protests that followed the killing of George Floyd.

The Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, spans the Mississippi River and is now a pedestrian walkway offering views of the city's historic mill district and 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, it served as a vital transportation link for freight and passengers. The bridge's stone construction and arches are notable architectural features. Today, it is a pedestrian walkway and bicycle path, offering views of the river and the city's historic mill district, including the adjacent grain silos.

The Stone Arch Bridge, a historic railroad bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, is illuminated on a foggy October night in 2013. The bridge, built 1881-1883, is now a pedestrian walkway. — *October 30, 2013* — The Stone Arch Bridge, a historic railroad bridge spanning the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, is illuminated on a foggy October night in 2013. Constructed between 1881 and 1883, the bridge was a vital artery for the Great Northern Railway, facilitating the transport of goods and people. Its arches, built from local St. Cloud granite, are a testament to 19th-century engineering. Today, the bridge is a pedestrian walkway and a popular spot for viewing the city's riverfront and historic mill district, including the former Washburn-Crosby "A" Mill, once the largest flour mill in the world.

Stone Arch Bridge

Minneapolis Photographer