Every student in Duluth learned about the Aerial Bridge from family or teachers. This table-top model in clay is typical in demonstrating how central to children and families the structure and impact of the bridge was and is to residents of Duluth.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This photograph may have been shot from Seventh Street and about Lake Avenue. The bright narrow strip in the lower middle of the image is Lake Avenue leading to the Aerial Bridge. The rectangle and three dots parallel to the piers of the canal are the remnants of the Whitney rock crushing enterprise. The Whitney Brothers, of Superior, Wisconsin, had a sand and gravel processing business that was functioning in 1919. The concrete form that is still in the water was the dredging/crushing building. A tunnel ran from the building to the Point. There was a conveyor belt and railroad spur adjacent to the concrete building. Sand from the Apostle Islands and gravel from Grand Marais were carried to Duluth on a small vessel named Limit. The business also used a tug the William A. Whitney. The Limit was secured to the concrete building and the load of sand or gravel was unloaded into the steel hopper using a jaw-like clam shell, steam powered device. The belt conveyed the materials to shore and it dropped into a tunnel where trucks were ready. On Federal lake charts it is referred to as cribs. Telephone lines are in this photograph. In 1880, the first telephones were installed in Duluth by Walter Van Brunt for C. H. Graves and Company. In 1881, the Duluth Telephone Company was incorporated with $10,000 capital. In 1882, the first telephone directory was issued for 30 subscribers. In 1898, long distance lines between Duluth, Cloquet and Carlton were strung. In 1899, Duluth had 794 telephones. In 1900, the Zenith telephone Company (independent) started operations in competition with Duluth Telephone Company. The tower is the Central High School clock tower. The 1892 school has been the Central Administration Building for ISD 709 since the late 1970s.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Set of 37 sheets of architectural drawings accepted for the City of Duluth by Samuel F. Snively, Mayor, and John Wilson, City Engineer, Plans Accompanying Specifications of January 1929. Technical drawings with varying degrees of legibility. There is only one elevation in the set; Sheet 1. The original bridge was the Aerial Bridge constructed in 1904-1905. The bridge was modified in 1929 with a lift span and subsequently called the Aerial Lift Bridge. These plans are highly technical and were designed for the use of engineers and specialty contractors. Each drawing indicates that certain features of the structure have been revised. This set appears to represent the final revision. The Lift Bridge was designed by Harrington, Howard and Ash Consulting Engineers, Kansas City and New York. Patented in the United States from 1909-1925.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Construction shot of the bridge and the approach to the bridge from Minnesota Point or South Lake Avenue, Minnesota Avenue. This photograph has been physically altered; the background has been whited out and buildings drawn over.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Image of new steel bridge over Beaver River near Beaver Bay, Minnesota. Completed during the Trunk Highway 1 project, now known as Scenic Highway 61. A second, older bridge appears beneath the new bridge. Grand opening of the highway was celebrated in 1925, construction north of Two Harbors began 1922.
Image of a group of men leveling the ground behind a steam powered machine. A man appears in the foreground, seated on a second piece of equipment. Bridge over the Beaver River near Beaver Bay, Minnesota. Completed during the Trunk Highway 1 project, now known as Scenic Highway 61.
Resolution dated December 17, 1929 authorizing the City of Stillwater to make and deliver a release of certain property for highway purpose to St. Croix County, Wisconsin.
Congressional Act H. R. 13502, dated January 8, 1929 authorizing the State of Minnesota and the State of Wisconsin to construct, maintain and operate a free highway bridge across the Saint Croix river at or near Stillwater, Minnesota.
Draft of a bill dated January 20, 1925 authorizing the Wisconsin State Highway Commission to construct, re-construct, repair, maintain and operate inter-state bridge.
Joint Resolution State of Minnesota S. F. 12 Relating to Interstate Bridges, introduced by Senator Sullivan on January 8, 1925 and passed on January 25, 1925 details the financial commitment of both states in the construction, repair and maintenance of interstate bridges.
Letter dated March 6, 1929 from August Andresen, House of Representatives to Stillwater City Attorney Edwin D. Buffington regarding a letter from Mr. Babcock relating to the construction of the Stillwater bridge.
Letter dated January 9, 1925 from Stillwater City Attorney Edwin D. Buffington to Hon. George Sullivan regarding correspondence to and from Wisconsin Highway Commission regarding interstate bridge.
Letter dated March 4, 1929 from C. M. Babcock, Commissioner of Highways to Hon. August H. Andresen, House of Representatives thanking him for his aid in securing the passage of Public Law No. 740.
Letter dated January 20, 1911 from E. J. Miller, Minnesota Highway Department to Stillwater City Engineer J. Abercrombie regarding the life expectancy, suggested method of repars and posted speed and wieght limits of the existing Stillwater pontoon bridge
Letter dated February 17, 1925 from M. W. Torkelson, Wisconsin Highway Commission to Stillwater City Attorney Edwin D. Buffington regarding pending Wisconsin legislation pertaining to the interstate bridge.
Letter dated January 21, 1925 from M. W. Torkelson, Wisconsin Highway Comission to Stillwater City Attorney Edwin D. Buffington regarding bill to construct, re-construct, repair, maintain and operate inter-state bridges and question regarding purchase of existing toll bridges.
Letter dated January 27, 1925 from M. W. Torkelson, Wisconsin Highway Commission to Stillwater City Attorney Edwin D. Buffington regarding resolution to be introduced to Wisconsin Senate and Assembly regarding the construction, re-construction, repair, maintenance and operation of inter-state bridges.
Letter dated January 8, 1925 from MN State Senator George M. Sullivan to Stillwater City Attorney Edwin D. Buffington announcing his intention to introduce a joint resolution between Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Wisconsin on the subject of interstate bridges.