Framed or unframed, desk size to sofa size, printed by us in Arizona and Alabama since 2007. Explore now.
Shorpy is funded by you. Patreon contributors get an ad-free experience.
Learn more.
Circa 1900. "Steel viaduct over Des Moines River, Iowa -- Chicago & North Western Railway." 8x10 glass negative by William Henry Jackson. View full size.
Looks like a Menosha Woodenware boxcar in front of the cabooses (cabeese). They were a WIsconsin manufacturer of wood barrels, boxes and other wood products.
The use of two cabooses was not the norm. Likely one was being ferried to another location for any of a variety of reasons.
Was it typical during the period to run with two cabooses? Magnificent bridge!
Finally a post just outside of my hometown! This is an amazing structure considering it's been around since 1901 and is still here today. I would assume this picture was taken shortly after construction.
The original bridge isn't used as much today since they built a new bridge right next to it that can handle more weight. What's cool is unlike a lot of these wonderful buildings that we see on Shorpy that have been torn down to make way for new ones is that they decided that the original was worth keeping.
This bridge is located just to the west of Boone, Iowa which has it's own place in history since it is the birthplace of Mamie Eisenhower.
More information about this massive piece of engineering here.
Every day I enjoy your pictures but this one is special thanks for all that you do, Shorpy!
On Shorpy:
Today’s Top 5