Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park near Preston in Fillmore County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Bridges at Forestville
Photographed by McGhiever, October 4, 2025
1. Bridges at Forestville Marker
Because Forestville spanned both sides of the Root River, reliable bridges were essential.
The first bridge was a wooden one built in 1856. It washed away in a flood. So did its replacement.
In 1899, the Gillette-Herzog Manufacturing Company installed a steel bridge. It lasted until the winter of 2022, when it failed a safety inspection.
View across the steel bridge at Forestville, about 1900
MNHS collections
The 1899 Gillette-Herzog Bridge at Forestville is one of the oldest bridges in Fillmore County.
The Minnesota Historical Society, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and Fillmore County are committed to reinstalling the historic Forestville bridge, which has been removed for repairs.
Historic Forestville bridge, 2023
The first phase of the bridge restoration project was completed in fall 2023, when the bridge was moved to a staging area.
Photo by Kat Rocheford, MNHS
Erected by the Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 43° 38.547′ N, 92° 12.907′ W.
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Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Minnesota and in Greater Rochester. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Driftless Area Bluff Country. 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: Historic Forestville (a few steps from this marker); South Branch of the Root River (within shouting distance of this marker); Bridges (within shouting distance of this marker); Meighen Icehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Meighen Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Forestville Sawmill (within shouting
Photographed by McGhiever, October 4, 2025
2. Bridges at Forestville Marker overlooking the usual site of the 1899 Gillette-Herzog Bridge
Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 60 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 4, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
