Mason City was once a major railroad hub in north central Iowa. The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road), Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (Rock Island), Chicago Great Western Railway (CGW), Chicago & North Western Railway (C&NW), Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway (M&StL) and Iowa Traction Railway (IATR) all operated lines within the community. While some of the lines have been abandoned, CPKC, Union Pacific Railroad and IATR continue to operate significant facilities within the city.

Random Bridges

5th Street Trail Bridge

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5th Street Trail Bridge

(Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge #262 3/4)

by

for

Design:

Description:

Significance:

Abandoned UP Cheslea Creek Bridge

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Abandoned UP Cheslea Creek Bridge

This steel stringer bridge crosses Cheslea Creek along County Road S42

Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Owner: Cerro Gordo County

Status: Abandoned

Built ca. 1930

by

Unknown

for

Chicago Great Western Railway

Design:
Steel and timber stringer

Description:
Steel and timber stringer bridge over Cheslea Creek

Significance:

Local

C&NW Winnebago River Bridge

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C&NW Winnebago River Bridge

(Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway Bridge #60)

This Warren deck truss bridge is one of several different truss designs built by Phoenix Bridge Company for the Iowa Central Railroad

Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Owner: Cerro Gordo County

Status: Abandoned

Built 1902

by

Phoenix Bridge Company of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

for

Iowa Central Railroad

Design:
130' riveted Warren deck truss

Description:
Warren deck truss bridge over Winnebago River

Significance:

Moderate

CNW Calmus Creek Bridge

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CNW Calmus Creek Bridge

(Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway Bridge #63)

This small steel stringer bridge crosses Calmus Creek

Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Owner: City of Mason City

Status: Abandoned

Built 1947

by

Bethlehem Steel Company of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

for

Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway

Design:
50' steel stringer

Description:
Steel stringer bridge over Calmus Creek

Significance:

Minimal

CPKC Winnebago River Bridge

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CPKC Winnebago River Bridge

(Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Bridge #S-558)

This deck plate girder bridge crosses the Winnebago River at Norris Park

Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Owner: Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited

Status: Open to Traffic

Built ca. 1910

by

Unknown

for

Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway

Design:
2-65' deck plate girder

Description:
Deck plate girder bridge over Winnebago River

Significance:

Local

Mason City Highline Trail - 13th Street Bridge

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Mason City Highline Trail - 13th Street Bridge

(Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway Bridge #66)

This steel stringer bridge once carried several tracks across 13th Street

Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Owner: City of Mason City

Status: Open to trail traffic

Built 1946

by

Unknown and L.M. Feller of Rochester, Minnesota

for

Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway

Design:
3 span steel stringer

Description:
Steel stringer bridge over 13th Street

Significance:

Local

Mason City Highline Trail - Elm Drive Bridge

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Mason City Highline Trail - Elm Drive Bridge

(Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway Bridge #67)

This through plate girder bridge was built by the Phoenix Bridge Company

Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Owner: City of Mason City

Status: Open to trail traffic

Built 1902

by

Phoenix Bridge Company of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

for

Iowa Central Railroad

Design:
65' through plate girder

Description:
Through plate girder bridge over Elm Drive

Significance:

Local

Mason City Highline Trail - State Street Bridge

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Mason City Highline Trail - State Street Bridge

(Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway Bridge #73)

This through plate girder bridge features some decorative features

Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Owner: City of Mason City

Status: Open to Trail Traffic

Built 1902

by

Phoenix Bridge Company of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

for

Iowa Central Railroad

Design:
50' through plate girder and steel stringer

Description:
Through plate girder bridge over State Street

Significance:

Local

Mason City Highline Trail - Willow Creek Bridge

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Mason City Highline Trail - Willow Creek Bridge

(Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway Bridge #72)

This deck plate girder bridge was moved from another relocation and installed here in 1937

Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Owner: City of Mason City

Status: Open to trail traffic

Built 1905 and 1937

by

American Bridge Company of New York and Industrial Contracting Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota

for

Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway

Design:
5-30' deck plate girder viaduct

Description:
Deck plate girder bridge over Willow Creek

Significance:

Local

UP 1st Street Bridge

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UP 1st Street Bridge

This through plate girder bridge has an unknown history

Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Owner: Union Pacific Railroad

Status: Open to Traffic

Built ca. 1910

by

Unknown

for

Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway

Design:
68' through plate girder

Description:
Through plate girder bridge over 1st Street

Significance:

Local