Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Bridges
October 24, 2024
1. Bridges Marker
In their early years bridges provided essential, though often unsteady, links between southern and northern Fergus Falls.
The first bridges were made of logs such as the 1871 Cascade Street bridge. A log pier filled with rock sat in the middle of the river and served as an anchor. Log stringers connected that pier with the river's banks. Their reliability was suspect as a sign warned drivers that they risked a $5 fine if they drove their horse teams across at a trot instead of a walk.
Log bridges were replaced with steel trestle bridges, several of which were unintentionally destroyed. In 1907, the Mill Street Bridge went down with a violent crash and was replaced with the concrete bridge that remains today. The devastating 1919 Cyclone eliminated the Union Avenue and Court Street trestle bridges. Both were replaced with concrete bridges by 1920.
Captions:
Cascade Street Bridge, 1871.
Cascade Street Bridge, 1872.
The Mill Street Bridge collapsed on September 3, 1907.
Mill Street Bridge, circa 1909-1910.
Erected by Otter Tail County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 46° 16.949′
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Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Otter Tail Dams (within shouting distance of this marker); Fergus Falls Woolen Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Power (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Coming City (about 500 feet away); Federal Building / River Inn / City Hall (about 600 feet away); George Washington Memorial Tree (about 700 feet away); The Fergus Falls River Walk (about 700 feet away); Ottertail County Veterans Memorial Park (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fergus Falls.
October 24, 2024
2. Bridges Marker
October 24, 2024
3. Bridges Marker
October 24, 2024
4. Cascade Street Bridge, 2024
The Cascade Street bridge was last rehabilitated in 2007.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2024. This page has been viewed 135 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 12, 2024.
