- 1865: 22 miles completed from Mendota to Merriam Junction, Minnesota by the Minnesota Valley Railway Company
- 1866: 17 miles completed from Merriam Junction to Belle Plaine, Minnesota by the Minnesota Valley Railway Company
- 1867: 16 miles completed from Belle Plaine to Le Sueur, Minnesota by the Minnesota Valley Railway Company
- 1868: 12 miles completed from Le Sueur to Kasota, Minnesota by the Minnesota Valley Railway Company
- 1869: 5 miles completed from Mendota to St. Paul, Minnesota by the Minnesota Valley Railway Company
- 1869: 22 miles completed from Kasota to Lake Crystal, Minnesota by the Minnesota Valley Railway Company
- 1869: 22 miles completed from Lake Crystal to St. James, Minnesota by the St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad
- 1869: 22 miles completed from Lake Crystal to St. James, Minnesota by the St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad
- 1870: Minnesota Valley Railway purchased by the St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad
- 1871: 58 miles completed from St. James to Worthington, Minnesota by the St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad
- 1872: 64 miles completed from Worthington to Le Mars, Iowa by the St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad
- 1881: StP&SC sold to the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway
- 1882: CStPM&O leased by the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1882: CStPM&O acquired by the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1995: C&NW purchased by Union Pacific Railroad
- 1995-Present: Union Pacific operates the St. Paul to St. James segment as the Mankato Subdivision
- 1995-Present: Union Pacific operates the St. James to Sioux City segment as the Worthington Subdivision
06/26/21
This unique stone arch crosses Minneopa Creek, just southwest of Mankato.
The bridge was built at two times. The 1879 portion was built for the railroad, which used the grade that the existing road uses. This span was completed on March 24th, 1879.
The railroad was relocated, and the arch was extended in 1905. The State of Minnesota reused the old grade and turned it into US-169, which was turned into a county road (now County 69).
The bridge contains a massive angle in the middle, adding to the unique structure.
Today, the stone arch is accessed from Minneopa State Park, or local foot trails.
It is also just downstream of Minneopa Falls, a local attraction.
The bridge was rehabilitated in 2014, with a new floor and lower walls. This should extend the lifespan by many decades.
Overall, this bridge remains in good condition.
The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the unique features of the bridge.
The photo above is an overview of the 1879 face.