Stone Arch Bridge

28 photos · 2013–2024

28 photographs tagged Stone Arch Bridge, 2013–2024.

Stone Arch Bridge's illuminated stone arches span the Mississippi River at night with Minneapolis skyline beyond.
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.

Colorful Arch Lighting During Stone Arch Bridge Construction

Pedestrians and cyclists walk and ride across the Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis with historic brick buildings behind.
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.

Sunny Afternoon Crowds on Stone Arch Bridge

US Bank Stadium and Mill City Museum neon signs
The Washburn A Mill, once the world's largest flour mill, stands illuminated along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. This historic structure now houses the Mill City Museum, which interprets the city's industrial past as a global flour milling center. In the background, the contemporary architecture of US Bank Stadium signifies Minneapolis's modern urban landscape.

Mill City Museum and Gold Medal Flour Sign Along 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.
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.

Chained Gate Blocks Access to the Stone Arch Bridge

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

Night Crowd at the Stone Arch Bridge Overnight Closure

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

Silhouettes at the Closed Gate of Stone Arch Bridge

Orange construction signage announces overnight closure of the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis from June 30 to July 5, 10 PM to 6 AM.
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.

Barricades at Stone Arch Bridge’s Overnight Closure, Minneapolis Skyline Beyond

Night photo of river and city skyline with a haze in Minneapolis
The Minneapolis skyline is veiled by smoke from Canadian wildfires, impacting regional air quality. The Mississippi River flows past the historic Stone Arch Bridge, a former railway bridge completed in 1883, now a pedestrian walkway. Adjacent to the bridge is the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, a 20th-century engineering project that regulates the river's flow and supports navigation, a function critical to Minneapolis since its establishment.

Minneapolis Skyline and Mississippi River in Wildfire Smoke

Mississippi River in front of Downtown Minneapolis Skyline
The Minneapolis Lock and Dam on the Mississippi River is obscured by haze from Canadian wildfire smoke, impacting air quality in the downtown area. Constructed in the early 20th century, the lock and dam system was designed to improve navigation on the river, facilitating the transport of goods and materials. Today, it continues to play a role in managing water levels and supporting barge traffic, though its visual presence is altered by atmospheric conditions. The Stone Arch Bridge, a historic landmark, is visible in the background, further contextualizing the industrial and infrastructural history of Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Lock and Dam Under Canadian Wildfire Smoke

Stone Arch Bridge crosses the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis with white-water rapids visible below.
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.

Aerial View of Stone Arch Bridge Over Turbulent Mississippi Rapids

Stone Arch Bridge's arches span turbulent Mississippi River waters in Minneapolis.
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.

Rushing Spring Floodwaters Under Stone Arch Bridge

St Anthony Falls in downtown Minneapolis on a summer day
People gather on the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis to observe the powerful flow of St. Anthony Falls on the Mississippi River. Originally constructed in 1883 for the Great Northern Railway, the Stone Arch Bridge is the only arched bridge made of stone-faced concrete in the United States. It was later converted into a pedestrian and bicycle bridge, offering unique views of the river and the historic flour milling district. The falls themselves were once the site of extensive milling operations, powered by the river's force, and remain a significant natural and historical landmark within the city.

People on Stone Arch Bridge watching St. Anthony Falls, Minneapolis

Booths setup at the Stone Arch Festival in Downtown Minneapolis
Booths are set up for the Stone Arch Festival in downtown Minneapolis, an annual event that celebrates art and culture along the Mississippi River. The festival takes place in the historic St. Anthony Falls district, adjacent to the Stone Arch Bridge, a landmark originally built for railroad use in 1883. This area has transformed from an industrial hub to a vibrant public space, hosting numerous community events throughout the year. The festival showcases local artists, craftspeople, and food vendors, drawing large crowds to the riverfront.

Stone Arch Festival Booths Downtown Minneapolis

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.
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.

Pedestrians Crossing the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis

The Stone Arch Bridge spans the Mississippi River in Minneapolis at sunset with the city skyline beyond.
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.

Golden Light Over Minneapolis Skyline From Stone Arch Bridge

Wooden staircase under dismantling near the Stone Arch Bridge alongside the Mississippi River in Minneapolis.
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.

Dismantled Stairway Beneath the Stone Arch Bridge

Couple walk the Stone Arch Bridge in December 2021
A couple walks across the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis in December 2021. Constructed in 1883 for the Great Northern Railway, the bridge spans the Mississippi River and is one of the city's oldest railroad bridges. After ceasing rail operations, it was repurposed in 1999 as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge. The structure offers views of St. Anthony Falls and the downtown Minneapolis skyline, serving as a significant link to the city's industrial past and a popular public space today.

Couple on Stone Arch Bridge, Minneapolis, December 2021

Stone Arch Bridge and Gold Medal Flour sign in Mill Ruins Park, Minneapolis.
Mill Ruins Park in Minneapolis preserves the remains of the Washburn “A” and Pillsbury “A” flour mills along the Mississippi River. The Stone Arch Bridge, completed in 1883 as a railroad crossing, now carries pedestrians and cyclists. The Gold Medal Flour sign marks the former milling district on the riverfront.

Stone Arch Bridge and Gold Medal Flour Sign, Minneapolis

Stone Arch Bridge spanning the Mississippi River with illuminated downtown Minneapolis skyline at night.
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.

Downtown Minneapolis Skyline from the Mississippi Riverfront

Woman looks over the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis
Woman looks over the railing on the Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis.

Downtown Minneapolis Skyline and Stoen Arch Bridge

Stone Arch Bridge and Minneapolis skyline at night along the Mississippi River, with Gold Medal Flour mill sign visible.
The Gold Medal Flour sign sits atop the old Washburn-Crosby mill complex, a reminder of Minneapolis's decades as the flour-milling capital of the world. Washburn-Crosby, which later became General Mills, first put up the sign in 1910, and it has been relit and maintained as a fixture of the skyline ever since. The Stone Arch Bridge crosses the Mississippi just downstream, built in 1883 for the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway to carry trains into the city's rail yards. Its limestone and granite piers were designed to withstand river ice, and the bridge now carries only pedestrians and cyclists between the riverfront and St. Anthony Main.

Gold Medal Flour Sign Above the Minneapolis Riverfront

Pedestrians walk on the Stone Arch Bridge with an orange railing, overlooking stone foundation and Minneapolis grain silos.
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.

Evening Walkers on Stone Arch Bridge Near the Grain Silos

Downtown Minneapolis from St. Anthony Main
The Minneapolis skyline is visible in the distance, with US Bank Stadium prominently featured. In the foreground, the historic Stone Arch Bridge spans the Mississippi River, connecting the St. Anthony Main district to the city's core. Originally built in 1883 for the Great Northern Railway, the bridge is now a pedestrian and bicycle path, offering views of the river and the former industrial buildings that once defined this area.

Minneapolis Skyline and Stone Arch Bridge in Winter

Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis beyond trees at Gold Medal Park.
The Stone Arch Bridge spans the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Built in 1883 for the Great Northern Railway, it now carries pedestrians and cyclists across the river.

Stone Arch Bridge, Minneapolis

Minneapolis skyline and the Stone Arch Bridge over the Mississippi River.
Minneapolis skyline and the Stone Arch Bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The former railroad bridge spans St. Anthony Falls and is part of the Mill Ruins Park area.

Minneapolis skyline from the Stone Arch Bridge

Minneapolis Aquatennial fireworks over the Mississippi River, with crowds on the Stone Arch Bridge and riverbanks.
The Minneapolis Aquatennial fireworks illuminate the night sky over the Mississippi River, with crowds gathered along its banks and on the Stone Arch Bridge. The Aquatennial, a summer festival established in 1941, celebrates Minneapolis and its connection to the river. The Stone Arch Bridge, originally built in 1883 for the Great Northern Railway, now serves as a pedestrian walkway and offers prime viewing for the annual event.

Minneapolis Aquatennial Fireworks over Mississippi River

The Stone Arch Bridge spans the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, illuminated at dusk with the city skyline beyond.
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.

Foggy Night Reflections Along the Stone Arch Bridge

Lightning strikes over downtown Minneapolis skyline at night, with the Stone Arch Bridge spanning the Mississippi River.
The Stone Arch Bridge crosses the Mississippi River below Saint Anthony Falls in downtown Minneapolis. Railroad magnate James J. Hill built it in 1883 for the Great Northern Railway, and it now carries pedestrians and cyclists between the river's east and west banks. Lightning flashes over the downtown skyline beyond it.

Lightning Over Downtown Minneapolis and the Stone Arch Bridge