The first segment opened in the fall, extending approximately 10 miles west to Emerado. The following year, the line was opened further west towards Larimore. By 1882, construction had reached Bartlett and the following year, the work had reached Devils Lake.
After a three year pause, the line was extended west again to Minot. This line would form the backbone of the Great Northern system from Duluth, Minnesota to the Pacific Ocean.
In 1889, the StPM&M became part of the Great Northern Railway, who operated this route as a mainline. In 1970, GN merged with rival Northern Pacific to form Burlington Northern Railroad, which in turn merged with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway in 1996 to form BNSF Railway.
Today, the line is regularly used as the Devils Lake Subdivision, connecting the northern Transcontinental Route at Minot to Grand Forks.
06/26/21
Located in Emerado, this large deck girder bridge is the eastern crossing of Hazen Brook at the intersection of 17th Street and 25th Street.
Built in 1914, the bridge features two deck plate girder spans, set onto concrete substructures. In addition, the bridge is approached by two concrete slab spans on the east and one on the west. This bridge follows a standard design for the Great Northern.
This style bridge was commonly used to cross rivers, streams and roads because of the cheap cost, easy installation and limited maintenance required. A span like this could often be built while only interrupting traffic for short times.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no major deterioration noted.
The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview. The author hopes to return for better photos of this bridge.