The bridge was built using over 100,000 tons of limestone and granite.
It was designed specifically to accommodate the complex rail geometry required for the Minneapolis Union Depot.
The structure survived the 1894 Mississippi River flood, which was the highest ever recorded.
It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The bridge's original purpose was to carry passenger trains for the Great Northern Railway.
It was converted for pedestrian use in 1994, sixteen years after rail service ceased.
The Stone Arch Bridge is an 1883 granite and limestone railway span crossing the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls. It is the only arched stone bridge on the entire Mississippi River. Originally constructed by James J. Hill for the Minneapolis Union Railway, it served as a vital freight and passenger rail link until 1978. The bridge consists of 23 arches and spans 2,100 feet. It was designated a National Civil Engineering Landmark in 1989. Today, it serves exclusively as a pedestrian and bicycle thoroughfare within the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail. The structure connects the West Bank's historic milling district to the East Bank's Father Hennepin Bluffs Park. Renovations were completed in 2024 to address structural masonry concerns and replace the bridge deck.
The river level vantage point in Mill Ruins Park looking upward at the arched piers.
Bring a windbreaker, as the open river expanse creates significant gusts year-round.
Visit the adjacent Mill Ruins Park to see the remnants of the flour mills that originally powered the city.
Use the bicycle-only lanes to avoid conflicts with heavy pedestrian traffic during weekends.
Attempting to cross during extreme winter ice events or severe thunderstorm warnings when the deck may be slippery.
Open year-round, though sections may occasionally close for routine maintenance or specific municipal events.
Stay within marked lanes for cyclists and pedestrians; keep pets on a short leash.
