[Mpls] "Doing" the Crown Hydro project!

[Sean Ryan]

  Chris Johnson seems to fear the worst circa 1868. Let's clear up some 
misconceptions...again.

  (Also, some suggest catastophic collapse of the Stone Arch Bridge- Did it 
fall when Mill Ruins Park was built? The Crown Hydro project would preform 
the same type of excvation near the bridge as was done for the park but in a 
much shallower space. Were utility lines, pollution, hidden caves etc. found 
in the park? Did the park blow up?)

  The project would reopen the old headrace channel that already exists 
underneath the parking lot albeit filled in with debris. The channel is not 
under the falls, it is seperated from the spillway by the lock & dam. It was 
filled in the the 1960s so any utility lines that do exist are probably 
accounted for (why anyone would run utility lines across the crest of falls 
is beyond me anyway.)
  The so called 'extension' to the Stone arch bridge would simply cross this 
restored water-filled channel, which would have exisited originally. The 
plans call for this extension to be planks similar to the plank road in 
front of the Mill City Museum. The 'extension' will make the approch the 
bridge better and more visible.

Photos- a must see!!!

1929 picture of west side- (cookies must be enabled)

http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=81320&Page=8&Digital=Yes&Keywords=stone%20arch&Type=Photo%2CArtPhoto&SearchType=Basic

See the plank road on the left? Trains moved above the tailraces on an iron 
and wood bridge, parts of which can be seen in the park today. At the end of 
the stone arch is wood, and then an iron bridge that passed over another 
channel.

1885 picture of the plank road and stone arch terminus-

http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=77429&Page=5&Digital=Yes&Keywords=minneapolis%2E%20mill&Type=Photo%2CArtPhoto&SearchType=Basic

1908- picture of headrace lagoon and iron extension of Stone Arch Bridge-

http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=77420&Page=10&Digital=Yes&Keywords=minneapolis%2E%20mill&Type=Photo%2CArtPhoto&SearchType=Basic

1936- Interesting picture of cornerstone, I wonder if its still under there.

http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=79488&Page=14&Digital=Yes&Keywords=minneapolis%2E%20mill&Type=Photo%2CArtPhoto&SearchType=Basic

I hope this helps-

Sean Ryan
AUDUBON

Visit Johnstock tonight, Sat. and Sun.  Live music, Kids Fashion Show, Magic 
Show, ART ART ART. 29th and Johson St. NE, An Art-A-Whirl event.
Outdoor Movies tonight, kids very welcome. Bring a blanket or two- At dusk!!

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