UP Shanaska Creek Bridge

A brief history of the Union Pacific Mankato and Worthington Subdivisions:

• 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

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This large stone arch bridge crosses Shanaska Creek in Kasota.
Built in 1896, the bridge features a single stone arch span. This span likely replaced an older timber trestle bridge.
The bridge is surrounded by private property, and was accessed with permission. Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. Some scouring has occurred on the walls, which has been repaired.

The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.