Triple Railroad Bridge Wrecks at Rochester, Minnesota, in 1866

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

For people not from the Rochester area there are three rivers that converge in Rochester Minnesota which explains the multiple flooding of the city on multiple occasions. The 1978 flood was a big one.

[@JohnDavies-cn3ro]

Really enjoy the historic accounts which cover the impact the railroad had on developing the area, besides the incident itself. You give a lot of interesing detail, with some good ilustrations too.

[@lars277]

Best MN history channel. I really enjoy the videos. My ancestors homesteaded in Redwood County in the late 1860s.

[@trainnerd4350]

Thank you for taking the time to make and put out these videos! I recently found your channel and I thoroughly enjoy your work!

[@MNBricks]

Thank you! Appreciate the comments.

[@DougFreas]

Awesome presentation. I have never been in that area, but I feel like I know the area now!

[@1stminnsharpshooters341]

thanks for sharing this part of Minn history *LIKED* the video --LT

[@dwj6503]

A nice little history lesson of the Rochester Minnesota region.

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

And when was the line that became the Chicago and Great Western built from Winona to Rochester? The C&GW climbed up the Mississippi River bluffs farther north of Winona and winded it’s way west eventually before a wye north of Stewartville. Trains magazine had an article last year about the original building of the C&GW line ascending to the west from the Mississippi.

[@davidsawyer6970]

Fascinating. Just visited Minnesota and crossed a few branches of the Zumbro River on Easter Sunday while on backroads in farm country and traveling through a few small towns on the way to Byron. My Sister is a doctor at Mayo, but I did not make it to Rochester directly this time.

[@jamieinminnesota8406]

Absolutely love the content you put out! Keep this content coming!

[@darrellborland119]

Very nice video...As an "Original Transcon RR" enthusiast, this era and it's people continue to fascinate'. Thanks...and subscribed.

[@IndianaStoned]

Doing some metal detecting so I appreciate any history on Roch I can get as its limited. Thank you!

[@johndavies1090]

Thanks for this story, and the history of the area. Those pioneers had to be tough people to withstand the rigours of the weather and the problems it caused. These stories of simple, everyday events are the real 'old west', rather than the movie version. If you can still find a copy, Louis l'Amour's novel, 'Bendigo Shafter' paints a very convincing picture of pioneer settlements. A great story.

[@262.productions]

I didn't know my home state had so many bridge problems. And I think that little depot might still actually be there. I grew up 30 miles south of Roch. in a small town called Fountain, it isn't anything now apart from a noisy ass bar, furniture store manufacturing plant and museum. and a Ex railroad that is now a bike trail.

[@QueenOfTheNorth65]

Does anyone know how the flood levels of 1866 compare with the flood of 1978?

[@shalopez420]

There are several bridge crossings here in Rochester, that all cross the Zumbro River. Was this the former 4th st bridge (now a road), the bridge behind what is today the government center, or the bridge by the former Silver Lake power plant?

[@MNBricks]

I believe this bridge used to be at 8th St. N., which is now a park. It still has a bridge across the river (at the south end of Silver Lake).

[@shalopez420]

@@MNBricks You mean Silver Lake park, and the exisiting iron rail bridge? I live a just a couple blocks away, and spend plenty of time looking for old railroad stuff, hence my curiousity.

[@micnorton9487]

Damn I didn't realize that railroads hit Minnesota that early...

[@stevenvaith99]

I was hired by the Chicago North Western Railroad In 1974 in Rochester it was never Chicago Great Western the bridge you are talking about is it the one right in town by the civic center and the power plant or further east?

[@stevenvaith99]

Where was the bridge I watched all your videos hired in 74 by CNW those big bridges had to be filled in long before my day

[@shalopez420]

@@stevenvaith99 Are you referring to the old line that ran north out of Rochester, through Pine Island, and onwards to Faribault?

[@stevenvaith99]

No I’m talking about the line that goes east to west it was call the Waseca sub if I remember right Winona to Mankato eventually went all the way to Spearfish South Dakota I helped remove the line from Waterville to Morristown I know it come out of Mankato Morristown Faribault then north to Northfield Randolph cannon fall then to redwing

[@MNBricks]

I believe this bridge used to be at 8th St. N., which is now a park. It still has a bridge across the river (at the south end of Silver Lake).

[@shalopez420]

@@stevenvaith99 That sounds like the Waseca sub. Most of the tracks have been removed everywhere. Even here in Rochester. Nothing but fields and boring bike trails now.

[@WaylonCampbell]

I once heard a quote from Thomas Jefferson something like it would 'take 100 generations to populate as far west as the mississippi'. I knew the railroads made this possible but I can see now just how vital the railroads were in this. Bridge falls, throw another up in a week. Not even done with that one and sending trains through, tears that one apart. And no wonder they had so much drive with incentives like FIFTEEN MILES on either side of the tracks theirs to sell or log then sell. No wonder the old railroad barrons were so crazy rich. Although it probably wasnt cheap to produce trains, produce & lay tracks, all while killing and being killed by the tribes.