This new line would serve as the mainline for the Minnesota Central, and in 1867 the line came into the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, which would be renamed the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway in 1874.
The line was of great importance to the Milwaukee Road, as it provided a direct access to Minneapolis from the existing mainline.
During the early years of Minnesota, Fort Snelling was a significant area, and this railroad served it directly.
In addition, the line connected to the former Hastings & Dakota at Farmington, which extended to South Dakota.
This line, as well as the H&D lost importance in 1882, when the "Short Line" connected the former H&D at Cologne to Minneapolis and St. Paul, creating a direct route.
This line would survive for quite some time as a backup route, serving industry along the Hiawatha Avenue Corridor. The railroad would be renamed the Chicago, Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific in 1913, with the new Pacific expansion.
The first abandonment came in 1957, and included the line from Mendota to Fort Snelling, and the swing bridge across the Minnesota River. In 1980, the Milwaukee Road abandoned from East Minneapolis to downtown.
The Milwaukee Road became part of the Soo Line, and later Canadian Pacific in 1985. Canadian Pacific abandoned a portion from Lake Street to downtown Minneapolis (near US Bank Stadium) to make way for the Metro Transit Lightrail, now named the Blue Line.
Today, the former line is operated as a commuter light rail (Blue Line) from Lake Street to Minneapolis, and has been abandoned from Minnehaha Park south to Mendota.
The remainder is owned by Canadian Pacific, and used as an industrial lead.
06/26/21
This bridge is a simple concrete arch bridge, right along Hiawatha Avenue (MN-55) in South Minneapolis.
The railroad here is abandoned, and in a derelict condition. The bridge overall is in decent condition, with some spalling.
The bridge could possibly become part of a trail in the coming years through Minnehaha Park. The structure was built in 1907.
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The date was found in the center of the span. The photo above is an overview.