1896 Historic Cascade Lock on Columbia River at Cascade Locks, OR

(Satellite)

Cascade Locks Historical Museum posted

This is definitely my favorite Cascade Locks historic winter storm photo, taken January 5, 1909 by K.A. Pierce. 

At the time, Alice Tomkins Fee was the 11 year-old daughter of chief locktender Valentine Tomkins. She recalled this winter storm fondly in an oral history she completed with the Oregon Historical Society in 1985:

"One year two boats were frozen in the locks for several weeks. We all learned to dance because the steward was an ex-Swiss dancing teacher. Father just thought we were crazy to be walking through a foot of snow to learn to dance, but we did- up in the Odd Fellow's Hall. Everybody in town learned to dance."

Keep the past alive and keep warm by having your own dance party tonight! 💃🧊

Forgotten Camas Washougal shared with the comment: "Let's Dance!  1909 Cascade Locks."

Mike Kluth shared with the comment: "Interesting article about the Cascade Locks."

CascadeLocks
"Cascade Locks, known initially as Whiskey Flats, is one of the oldest towns on the Columbia River. It sits on a section of the river that Lewis and Clark described in their journals as the 'great rapids of the Cascades,' a stretch of raging water more than two miles [3.2km] long was formed by a massive ancient landslide."
Before the Cascade Rapids were submerged by the Bonneville Dam, they dropped 20' (6m).
"Cascade Locks was home to the first steam engine west of the Mississippi, the Oregon Pony, was built in 1862 to carry passengers and freight past the rapids."
"By 1875 the U.S. Government approved the plans to build a set of locks to improve the navigation through the Cascade Rapids. Construction began in 1878 and the locks were completed on November 5, 1896 — and, modern-day Cascade Locks was born. The locks were an amazing achievement, with a lift chamber carved in solid rock 460 feet long, and 90 feet wide, with 8 feet of draft, deep enough for any vessel then on the river, and large enough to accommodate several at once."

OregonPony
"The Oregon Pony weighs only 8 tons, with a length of only 14.5 feet; the steam locomotive was the first of its kind to be built on the Pacific Coast and the first to be used in the Oregon Territory."
It was restored and is now in an enclosed display near the lock.

A view of the rapids and lock before the dam was built.

OregonPony

Adventure Krewe, Aug 2023

1843 Aqueduct +1923 Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridges over Potomac River at Washington, DC

(Bridge Hunter broke Mar 22, 2023; Historic Bridges; HAER; Satellite, 930 photos)

Street View, Sep 2014

Image via ddotlibrary via ddot
"The Francis Scott Key Bridge was built in 1923 and is the oldest continuously used bridge in Washington, D.C....The Aquaduct Bridge was previously at this location, a structure that originally transported canal boats over the river to connect with the Alexandria Canal in Virginia. Later in the 19th century, the Aquaduct Bridge was converted to carry wagons, streetcars, and eventually automobiles across before closing in 1923 upon the opening of the Key Bridge."

The Aquaduct Bridge:

ddot

 

The canal carried by the aqueduct was an 7-mile long canal to connect Alexandria to the C&O Canal so that Alexandria could compete with Georgetown as a port. [HistoricSites]

LOT 4336, no. 13 [P&P], cropped
Aqueduct Bridge, Georgetown, D.C., looking toward Washington

arlingtonva
"In 1868, a second level was added to the bridge to serve as a road between Rosslyn and Georgetown for people and carts. In 1886, the bridge was closed to canal boats, but the Aqueduct Bridge continued to be used as a bridge for traffic between Georgetown and Rosslyn until 1923, when the Key Bridge opened."

 

StreetsOfWashington, c. 1865. Source: Library of Congress 
"Building the bridge's piers was the biggest challenge. The plan was to construct cofferdams at appropriate spots in the river, pump the water out and then build the piers inside them. However, they had to be built at an incredible depth—through 18 feet of water and 17 feet of silt—to reach a solid bedrock foundation. River cofferdams had never been built so deep before. The first ones erected leaked mercilessly and had to be completely replaced. The second set were little better, filling with water after an hour or so and with mud oozing in from below."

 

DCPL Commons Flickr via StreetsOfWashington, Public Domain

Aqueduct Bridge

View of Aqueduct Bridge, Georgetown University is in the background (ca 1900)

After it was used as a wagon bridge for the Civil War, a second aqueduct was built with a toll road across the top. In 1888, the aqueduct and toll road were replaced by an iron-truss road bridge.

 

CanalTrust
"By 1859, the port of Alexandria received nearly three-fifths of the coal carried on the C&O Canal."

ddot

Arlington Historical Society posted

On this day in Arlington history: January 17, 1923: the new $2.35 million Key Bridge opens. 

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, more commonly known as the Key Bridge, is a six-lane reinforced concrete arch bridge conveying U.S. Route 29 traffic across the Potomac River. Completed in 1923, it is Washington's oldest surviving bridge across the Potomac River. The Classical Revival bridge was designed by Nathan C. Wyeth and engineer Max C. Tyler and was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1917 and 1923, and was named after Francis Scott Key, author of The Star Spangled Banner. 

The Key Bridge replaced the Aqueduct Bridge which was originally built to carry the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal across the Potomac to connect with the Alexandria Canal. After the Alexandria Canal was abandoned, the bridge was converted into a roadway. The Washington abutment still survives and is located west of the Key Bridge. One pier remains and is located in the river near the Virginia shore. 

The original 1923 road deck was 70' wide. It included two traffic lanes, a center lane for trolley tracks, and two sidewalks. In 1955, the trolley tracks were eliminated. The Key Bridge spans between the old Capital Transit Co. Streetcar Barn in Georgetown to its southern terminus in Virginia at North Lynn Street. The bridge rises just under 100 feet above the Potomac river below.

HAER DC,WASH,583-
4. AERIAL VIEW LOOKING NORTH TOWARDS D. C. - Francis Scott Key Bridge, Spanning Potomac River near Georgetown, Washington, District of Columbia, DC Photos from Survey HAER DC-51

The bridge also goes over the C&O Canal.

LivingCityDC, 1 of many photos of the bridge and neighborhood
"The bridge was built between 1917 and 1923 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers led by Colonel W. L. Fiske....The Francis Scott Key Bridge is held aloft by five arches of varying widths: the central arch is 208' [63.4m] wide, two adjacent arches are 204' [62.2], and the last two are 187' [60m] long." For a total length of 1,701 feet long (518.5 meters). Francis Scott Key, the author of the Star Spangled Banner, lived in Washington DC.

HistoricBridges
"This attractive arch bridge is also noted as a rare example of a Melan type arch bridge with solid steel reinforcing."

 

Bridges Now and Then posted
"Potomac Boat Club with the Key Bridge under construction in the background, District of Columbia, 1921". (National Photo Company Collection)

Dakota, Missouri Valley & Western Railroad (DMVW)

dmvwrr_about

DMVW started operations in September 1990, when the company was successful bidder to operate 360 miles of Soo Line track and trackage rights in North Dakota and Montana. DMVW’S original network consisted of track between Oakes to Washburn and Flaxton to Whitetail Montana.

Since 1990 DMVW has added the following line segments to its network:

•  Washburn to Max
•  McKenzie to Moffit
•  Oakes to Hankinson
•  Geneseo Jct. to Aberdeen, SD [was a Great Northern branch to Aberdeen]

Map via dmvwrr_map

trains
Like the Evansville & Western Railway, this shortline is willing to consolidate cuts of hoppers from smaller elevators into longer "corn trains" for delivery to the Blue Flint Ethanol Plant.  It also hauls 50-car corn trains from larger elevators to the ethanol plant. When it empties the hoppers to make ethanol, it then loads them with Dried Distillers Grain (DDG). The DDG and the ethanol in tank cars is then delivered for interchange with the Canadian Pacific in Max, ND. The empty hoppers are then deliverd back to an elevator to repeat the cycle.

Trail/C&NW Embankment/Trestle and Three Tunnels in Monroe County, WI

Embankment: (Satellite)

Tunnel #3: (Satellite, 240 photos)

Tunnel #2: (Satellite, 49 photos)

Tunnel #1: (Satellite, 53 photos)

Elroy-Sparta State Trail has 2,414 photos

safe_image for The buried bridges of Monroe County: Stereograph depicts massive railroad trestle on Elroy-Sparta line
Lance Erickson: Now where is this ?

Dennis DeBruler replied to Lance's question

I think it is here: https://www.google.com/.../@43.8707618.../data=!3m1!1e3...

You can see an embankment from the road:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/cHky8yPdGHvMQ2Yi8

There are several buried trestles along this route. I think this is the longest at 191.5' (58.4m) and 65' (19.8m) high. This railroad route opened in 1873. A better route through Farmers Valley was built using trestles and tunnels during the 1880s. Because of the growth of the size of steam locomotives, the trestles were filled in during the 1900s. [TheCountyLine]

1949 Tomah Quad @ 62,500

The contour lines did not show the embankment in the 1949 topo, so I got a more detailed map. It is also incorrect. Normally, the contour lines will bend abruptly at the embankment and parallel the trail/railroad.

1983 St Marys Quad @ 24,000

The 32.5 miles (52.3m) long Elroy-Sparta State Trail is considered the first rail-to-trail in the United States. "A state trail pass is required for bicycling." ($25/year or $5/day) [dnr]

Tunnel #3:

Tom Reuter, Jun 2022

Tunnel #2:

 Valentin Bitsin and Maxx, Jun 2021

Tunnel #1:

Jacob Nelson, Jul 2017

Tunnel #2 is lined, but Tunnel #1 is not lined.

Angel Gaikwad-Burkey posted

1896+1924 CSX/KCS/Mobile & Ohio and 1973 Vehicle Bridges over Black Warrior River in Tuscaloosa, AL

Railroad: (Bridge Hunter broke Mar 22, 2023; Historic Bridges; HAER; Satellite)

Vehicle: (Satellite) Hugh R. Thomas Bridge. I've also seen the name Lurleen Wallace.

The claim to fame for this railroad bridge is that the approaches are still wood trestles.

Street View, Jan 2022

And the trestle on the north side is curved.

Street View, Mar 2014

Street View, Mar 2020

Bridges Now and Then posted
The Hugh R. Thomas Bridge over the Black Warrior River at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, nears completion, c. 1973. The 1922 lift bridge was demolished after the Thomas Bridge was opened. (95.3TheBear)

tavm_demolition
Calvin Hannah, “Demolition of the Drawbridge Across the Black Warrior River, 1973,” Tuscaloosa Area Virtual Museum, accessed January 27, 2024, https://tavm.omeka.net/items/show/973.

tavm_demolition
Calvin Hannah, “Demolition of the Drawbridge Across the Black Warrior River, 1973,” Tuscaloosa Area Virtual Museum, accessed January 27, 2024, https://tavm.omeka.net/items/show/973.

USACE
The channel is 250.4' (76.3m) wide with a minimum clearance of 62' (19m).

Note the railroad bridge in the background.

The channel is 123' (37.5m) wide and the clearance varies from 67.4' (20.5m) to 59.8' (18.2m).

HistoricBridges
The main span is 275' (83.8m), and the total length is 3,600' (1097.3m or 0.7 miles).
"This unusual asymmetrical continuous through truss bridge replaced an earlier bridge dating to 1896-9. The truss lacks any v-lacing or lattice on its members and used plate with holes, a design that became common in the middle 20th century. Assuming the 1924 construction date is accurate, this is one of earliest known example of a bridge lacking lattice or v-lacing and instead using these plates with holes. The bridge also features deck plate girder approach spans, plus an extremely long series of timber approach spans. Lengths given are estimates."

This would have been the previous 1896 railroad bridge.

tavm
“Mobile and Ohio Railroad Bridge, circa 1925,” Tuscaloosa Area Virtual Museum, accessed January 27, 2024, https://tavm.omeka.net/items/show/1135.

Before the trees completely obscured the trestle.

Tim Ryan posted

This wonderful photo was posted by Mr. Barry Newman on the "remembering Tuscaloosa" page.

It is one of the best photos taken on the BWR at Tuscaloosa I have ever seen. There is so much detail in it. I love that the COOK got his due in the photo. And I do love the navigation lights and the spotlight on the launch.

The photo is of Dr. Smith of the U of A with his survey vessel and crew. Early 1900's no doubt.

I would be delighted to see this photo be the Banner photo of our Black Warrior River history page for a while. Anyone agree with me?

"Chartered in 1848 to link Mobile to the Ohio River, the Mobile and Ohio Railroad was not completed through Tuscaloosa until the late 1890s. Its completion coincided with the construction of the original series of locks and dams that opened the Warrior River for commercial navigation north of Tuscaloosa. Upon completion of the mainline of the M. & O. from Mobile to St. Louis, the railroad extended spurs into the Cahaba and Warrior Coal fields, contributing significantly to industrialization at Holt, Kellerman and Brookwood along the Warrior River, and linking the entire Birmingham District to markets in the midwest and the south. The American Bridge Co. replaced the origin" [HAER_data]

HAER ALA,63-TUSLO,27-
EXTERIOR VIEW, LOOKING TOWARDS TUSCALOOSA, WITH APPROACH, CONCRETE PIERS AND CENTER SPAN. - Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad Bridge, Spans Black Warrior River between Northport & Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, AL Photos from Survey HAER AL-12

HAER ALA,63-TUSLO,27-
EXTERIOR VIEW WITH CURVED APPROACH TRESTLE ON NORTHPORT SIDE.

HAER ALA,63-TUSLO,27-
VIEW LOOKING NORTHEAST, WARRIOR RIVER, OLIVER LOCK IN RIGHT BACKGROUND, GULF MOBILE & OHIO BRIDGE IN MIDDLE GROUND, LURLEEN WALLACE BRIDGE IN FRONT OF GULF MOBILE & OHIO.

NS/Southern Bridge over Black Warrior River near Eutaw, AL

(Bridge Hunter broke Mar 22, 2023; no Historic Bridges; Satellite)

The clearance when closed is 18.3' (5.6m) and 71' (22m) when open. The bridge is at mile 267.8. [FederalRegister]

This USACE reference specifies different clerances.

USACE_34B
Channel width is 204.8' (32m) with clearances of 22.8'(7m)/76.5'(23m)

It is unreal as to how close the pilot gets the tow to that tower before a lateral current pushes it over into the opening.

2:23 video @ 1:07

Facebook reel

Rob Strickland posted

View of the bridge operator's house along the Black Warrior River in Alabama, August 1962

This must have been a lonely job, but one I've always wished I would have gotten to try out. The peace and quiet must have been bountiful.

I hope he at least had a TV.

1906 Wachusett Dam on Nashua River and Aban B&M Trestle and Tunnel in Clinton, MA

Dam: (Satellite, 1,198 photos)

Tunnel, West Portal: (Satellite, 649 photos)

The dam was built in 1906 as part of a water supply. Dogs are not allowed in the parks because the 65 billion gallon reservoir is a water supply. The reservoir "covers 108 square miles with 37 miles of shoreline." [mass]

"At the time of construction, the Wachusett Reservoir was the largest in the world. It remains a great engineering feat and is one of the few unfiltered water supplies in the country. " [Mass_reservoir]

Brian Hale, Aug 2013

Peter Brinley posted
No longer in service, Hydroelectric Turbines at Wachusett Dam in Massachusetts.

 Mass_dam
"The Wachusett Dam maintains the honor of being the largest hand built gravity dam in the world. Constructed of granite masonry, the dam stretches 944’ [288m] across." The height of the dam is 115' (35m) above ground and 112' (34m) below. It tapers from 22.5' (6.9m) at the top to 185' (56m) at the bottom. The spillway is  452' (138m) long.

Mass_dam

I found the spillway on the north side after I saw some photos of it.

Clay Mangiameli, Oct 2023

Did the power plant quit running when they turned the tailrace into a fountain?

Anthony Trinciante, Sep 2022

Actually, there was no outlet at the base of the dam because the spillway is on the side and the normal flow is diverted into an aqueduct as a water supply. This map also shows were the trestle crossed the river when the Boston & Maine tracks were rerouted around the dam site.

1952 Clinton Quad @ 24,000

The top middle diagram shows that there is more of the dam underground than above.

DigitalCommonwealth

In 1907, because of a landslide, they had to build a 2-mile (3.2km) long dike.

Satellite

Mass_dike