East Grand Forks in Polk County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Sorlie Memorial Bridge

A.D. 1929

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 16, 2012

1. Sorlie Memorial Bridge Marker

Inscription. Arthur Gustav Sorlie
April 26, 1874 – August 28, 1928

Governor of North Dakota and Chairman of the State Highway Commission from January 1925 until his death. Resident of Grand Forks since 1903. Member of the City Council from 1909 to 1914.

A true friend of
better roads and bridges

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. 47° 55.653′ N, 97° 1.668′ W. Marker is in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, in Polk County. Marker is on Demers Avenue (Business U.S. 2) just south of 3rd Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling south. Marker is mounted directly on the northeast corner of bridge, facing southbound traffic on Demers Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: East Grand Forks MN 56721, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Grand Forks Flood Protection Project (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line in North Dakota); Blizzard "Hannah" (approx. ¼ mile away in North Dakota); Evacuating Two Cities (approx. ¼ mile away in North Dakota); A Brutal Winter (approx. ¼ mile away in North Dakota); The River Wins

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. ¼ mile away in North Dakota); The Flood Fight Begins (approx. ¼ mile away in North Dakota); Welcome to Memorial Park (approx. ¼ mile away in North Dakota); Security Trust Company (approx. ¼ mile away in North Dakota).

More about this marker. There is an identical copy of this marker mounted on the southwest corner of the bridge, across the Red River in Grand Forks, North Dakota, facing northbound traffic on Demers Avenue.

Regarding Sorlie Memorial Bridge. National Register of Historic Places #99000844.

Also see . . .
1. Sorlie Memorial Bridge (Wikipedia). The Sorlie Memorial Bridge, also known as the Red River Bridge was built in 1929 by the Minneapolis Bridge Company to connect the cities of Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota. At the time, the bridge was the only vehicular crossing in the area, and was important for carrying U.S. Route 2, a transcontinental route. (Submitted on December 17, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Sorlie Memorial Bridge. Minnesota Department of Transportation website entry:
The Sorlie Memorial Bridge carries U.S. Highway 2 (Business) over the Red River of the North between East Grand Forks in Polk County, Minnesota,

Sorlie Memorial Bridge image. Click for full size.

via NPS, unknown

2. Sorlie Memorial Bridge

NPGallery: Digital Asset Management System website entry

and Grand Forks, North Dakota. It was a joint project of both states and was named as a memorial to North Dakota Governor Arthur Gustav Sorlie. Each of the two main spans is a steel, riveted, Parker through truss. At 283 feet long, the spans are the longest riveted Parker through truss spans in Minnesota. (Submitted on December 17, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Arthur Gustave Sorlie. Wikipedia entry:
Sorlie was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota and resided in Grand Forks, North Dakota. In 1903, Sorlie opened a bread and cracker factory in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He became a successful businessman, owning car dealerships and gas stations. Sorlie first entered politics as a member of the Grand Forks City Council, a position he held two terms. He served as the 14th Governor of North Dakota from 1925 until his death in 1928 at the age of 54. (Submitted on December 17, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 16, 2012

3. Sorlie Memorial Bridge Marker

(Grand Forks, North Dakota is across the river in distant background)

Sorlie Memorial Bridge (<i>Minnesota side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 16, 2012

4. Sorlie Memorial Bridge (Minnesota side)

(marker visible on right side)

Sorlie Memorial Bridge across Red River (<i>North Dakota on opposite side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 16, 2012

5. Sorlie Memorial Bridge across Red River (North Dakota on opposite side)

(marker visible, edge-on, at far left)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 362 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 17, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on November 12, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 17, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.