Be sure to approach from the east; County Road 90, Copper Mountain Road (Township Road 190). Approaching from the west (Highway 66 and 195th Ln.) will lead you to private property. According to the article below, there is only one specimen left in Minnesota and it is the largest in the US! As with any endangered species, the people of the world can help protect them.
Historic Mankato bridge needs a new owner
05/29/2007
Associated Press
MANKATO, Minn. - Mankato Township is trying to unload one of the oldest bridges in the state. But even with a price tag of $0, there have been no takers.
The township says the 134-year-old Kern Bridge that crosses the Le Sueur River just south of Mankato is free to whoever can use it, said township clerk Dan Fogal.
Jason Smith, an Iowan studying in Germany, has researched and written about the bridge. He said it's the only "bowstring arch bridge" left in the state, so named because the lower and upper spans anchor the deck, keeping it taut like a bowstring. The bridge is the second-longest bowstring arch bridge in North America, second only to a 228-foot bridge in Canada, according to Smith's research.
Dennis Gimmestad, with the Minnesota Historical Society, said the bridge has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1990.
The bridge has been closed to traffic for the past 15 years. One option would be to incorporate the bridge into a trail system.
"It would be a shame to convert a 190-foot architectural wonder into a heap of scrap metal," Smith writes. "Before this happens, we should take action to save the bridge, as long as the window of opportunity is still open."
Original Contents:
- FTF Item
- Aladdin Hotel Las Vegas Matchbook
- Gold Dollar Coin
- Relaxation 'jingle' Ball
- Great Lakes Co-op Koozie
- "Wood" Saw
GOOD LUCK!!!
Remember: With all caches, 'trade even' or 'trade up' to keep it fun for everyone!