1889,1973,2022 Keystone Bridge over, and Dam on, Turkey River in Elkader, IA

Bridge: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; HAER; Satellite)

Dam: (Satellite)

HAER IOWA,22-ELKA,1- -9 (CT)
3/4 VIEW FROM SOUTHWEST - Elkader Bridge, Spanning Turkey River at Bridge Street, Elkader, Clayton County, IA

"Significance: The Elkader Bridge, built in the second half of the nineteenth century, is an exceptional example of American stone masonry. The bridge has a total length of 189 feet [58m], having two arches each spanning 80 feet [24m], making it one of the longest stone arch bridges west of the Mississippi." [HAER_data]

At least some of the mill buildings on the left have been converted into a hotel.

Street View, Oct 2024

2012 Photo by J.R. Manning via BridgeHunter

I wonder what the "ears" on the right-hand side were for. The river has a stronger flow in this view.

Gary B, May 2018

It looks like they also did rehabilitation work in 2022.

Jason Burlingame, Sep 2022

Iowa Road Trip posted four photos with the comment: "At 346 feet [105m] long, the Keystone Bridge in Elkader, Iowa, is one of the largest twin arched keystone bridges west of the Mississippi River.  It was originally built in 1889 from locally quarried limestone. Brian Abeling / Iowa Road Trip"

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