This is the first 10th Avenue bridge, completed in 1874 and taken down in 1943. The Stone Arch bridge, built in 1883 for James J. Hill's Great Nothern Railroad, can be seen to the rear and right.

Here is a comparable view today, from I-35W. The Stone Arch bridge is to the right in both views. Most of the rest of what you see in 1908 is not there now.

The stray cut logs in the picture bear witness to the other major milling on that river - sawmills that processed the white pine from the northern forest. That industry was in decline as the grain milling industry grew.

The falls gave their name to St. Anthony, the town on the north bank of Big Muddy, that vied with Minneapolis for title of the "twin" to St. Paul. Despite the early lead, the latter pulled out a win in the the later innings (and went on to best St. Paul itself in the championships).

The tallest building in this scene -- though it may not seem so since it lurks far away, and down -- is alive and well.