St. Anthony Falls apron and the 3rd Avenue Bridge on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as seen from the west bank of the river. The collapse of the Hennepin Island tunnel in 1869 brought about the construction of a curtain wall and protective apron apron, concrete structures that served to stabilize the falls. This image is by Arthur Adams, Minneapolis high school teacher, local historian, and photographer. Adams traveled throughout Minnesota, taking photographs to augment his lectures. His studio was located at 3648 Lyndale Avenue South in Minneapolis.
View is to the east from the top of Fargo Roller Mill in Fargo, North Dakota across the Red River toward Moorhead just north of the North Bridge linking Moorhead's 2nd Avenue North with Fargo's Northern Pacific Avenue. Part of the Fargo Roller Mill is visible in the foreground. Much of Moorhead is visible in the distance, including a number of businesses, mostly saloons, at the Moorhead end of the bridge. These include Billy Diemert's Place, just north of the bridge, and John Haas' Midway saloon just to the south. The bridge is undergoing major repairs, the deck is seen removed at right. On the Fargo side of the bridge, at right is visible a small building with a sign reading "John R. Jardine, Bridge Works."
No. 502 People have always watched the aerial bridge. Engineer C.A.P. Turner, of the Gillette-Herzog Manufacturing Company of Minneapolis, designed the Ferry Bridge with Suspended Car Transfer in February 1901, meeting federal specifications. Bids were opened March 25, 1901, but only one was received. The Duluth Canal Bridge Company was awarded the contract but abandoned the work. In February 1904, the Modern Steel Structural Company of Waukesha, Wisconsin was issued a contract. Work began July 20, 1904. On February 23, 1905, with a full complement of local dignitaries at hand, the bridge was first operated. Regular service began the next day according to newspaper accounts. The city engineer's report for 1905 stated that the bridge was "completed and commenced operation on May 5, 1905, and a few problems were corrected in running the bridge over the next few days." This post card was mailed in 1914.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections