01/05/2026
Completed in 1891, the Winona Railroad Bridge was more than a Mississippi River crossing—it was a milestone in America’s transition from wrought iron to steel and a showcase of emerging engineering policy. Backed by one of the first federal bridge acts to allow design flexibility for navigation, the project united multiple railroads, introduced shared-use requirements, and featured a sophisticated swing span influenced by George S. Morison’s earlier work. Though the bridge is long gone, its story highlights how technical innovation, legislative evolution, and regional ambition shaped the rail infrastructure that powered the Upper Midwest.
📖Read the article: https://www.structuremag.org/article/historic-structures-winona-railroad-bridge-1891/