The Mendota Bridge: Spanning two histories, uniting one people

David Berger

The Fort Snelling-Mendota Bridge has a long history with many connections to the sacred and hallowed history of Minnesota. In fact, in many ways, it is at the very center of our collective memory, geography, and spirituality. I propose that next year to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the Mendota bridge that we consider transforming it into a parkway connection with a lower speed limit, green areas, historical markers, and a larger footpath as well as overlooks into the valley.
When the Fort Snelling-Mendota Bridge opened, there were three days of ceremonial activities which culminated in a dignitary filled program on Monday, Nov. 8, 1926. At 2 p.m. on that day a salute of guns from Fort Snelling started a contingent of politicians and officials from Hennepin County marching to the middle of the bridge from the Fort Snelling side as a contingent of politicians and officials from Dakota County began marching to the middle of the bridge from the Mendota side. In the middle they met Minnesota Governor Theodore Christianson who formally opened the bridge by untying golden ropes that had been draped across the center of the span.
When the Mendota bridge was completed 99 years ago, it was the largest concrete arch bridge in the world at 4,119 feet long (just over three-quarter mile). This massive project took two- and one-half years to build, with an average of 200 construction workers working every day throughout that period. Containing 80 thousand yards of concrete, 1,200 tons of steel beams, and eight carloads of bolts, the bridge also has 12 piers that support it at height of 120 feet above the surface of the Minnesota river.
It is fitting that such a monumental structure is dedicated as a memorial to the “Gopher Gunners” 151st Field Artillery of the Minnesota National Guard for their role in World War 1 as part of the U.S. Army’s 42nd Infantry “Rainbow” Division composed of National Guard regiments from many states. The “Gopher Gunners” were a highly decorated unit that played pivotal roles in several key campaigns including the Second Battle of the Marne (July 15-18, 1918). In that battle, several “Gopher Gunners” were killed in action including Pvt. William J. Rubly (Minneapolis); Cpl. Gay E. York (Minneapolis); and Sgt. Harold J. Worrall (Minneapolis).
Each of these three soldiers from Hennepin County also have memorial markers on Victory Memorial Drive in Minneapolis as well as “Rainbow” Division markers at Lakewood Cemetery for the 151st Field Artillery.
The area around the Mendota bridge has historically been a meaningful place. The confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers holds special significance for many.
To the Dakota people this area is sacred. From Wita Tanka (Pike Island) to Oheyawahe (Pilot Knob Hill) to Mini Owe Sni (Coldwater Spring) all make up Bdote, the sacred area where the two rivers meet the sky and where the Dakota were created. For hundreds of years this area has been important for trade, social interaction, and burials.
When pioneers first settled Minnesota, Bdote was a central place for trade, treaties, and worship. As the oldest continually used church in Minnesota, the Church of St Peter (built in 1853) sits on the river bluff just a stone’s throw from the Mendota Bridge. It’s historic cemetery in Mendota was founded in 1840.
Since the Mendota Bridge construction began in 1924, the area near it has increased its number of sacred monuments including three major cemeteries. In 1925, Acacia Park Cemetery was created by the Masonic order on Pilot Knob Hill in Mendota Heights and officially opened in 1928. In 1939, the Fort Snelling National Cemetery was dedicated and now has well over 260,000 interments including the grave of Colonel George Emerson Leach, commander of the “Gopher Gunners” during WWI and former mayor of Minneapolis. In 1941, Resurrection Cemetery was opened also in Mendota Heights by the Catholic Cemeteries.
The Mendota bridge spans the Minnesota River just feet from where it meets the Mississippi River where waters from Lake Itasca 235 miles away mingle with waters from Big Stone Lake near the border with South Dakota that have traveled over 330 miles. Ecologically, this area is the citadel of the flowing waterways of Minnesota; spiritually it is sacred as well.
I have walked and run across the bridge many times. You can feel the sacred nature of the bridge and its vistas when you cross it. You can see everything from this one spot: the Minnesota river valley; the skyline of downtown Minneapolis; the Skyline of downtown St Paul, Wita Tanka; Oheyawahe; and Mini Owe Sni; Fort Snelling, the airport, the Cathedral of St. Paul, and even the Sperry Tower in Eagan.
The Fort Snelling-Mendota Bridge is a spectacular construction with an immensely important history. Unfortunately, we are under utilizing the possibilities of making it a sacred place of beauty and awe. By converting it into a more accessible and usable parkway connection, we can give it an honorable place in our community. Conversely and sadly we can let it remain just another loud highway bridge.
Dave Berger of Maple Grove, Minn., is a retired sociology professor, freelance writer, and author.