Tag Archives: Nicollet Island

19th Century, Business, Geology, History, Industry, Intercession, Minnesota, omnipresent history, State Government

Falling Falls

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1866 to 1880
“Construction begins on a wooden apron to protect St. Anthony Falls. Mills depend on the falls for industrial power, and their owners hope the apron will stop its erosion and collapse. Floodwaters destroy this first attempt the following year. Collapses follow. It’s 1880 before a useful apron is completed.” *

The Eastman Tunnel once ran below the St. Anthony Falls, connecting Nicollet island with Hennepin Island. It’s collapse almost destroyed the utility of the falls for the milling industry. Congress gave the Army Corps of Engineers $50,000 to fix the falls by basically filling in the tunnel with concrete, and making a wooden apron. This attempt failed also, and it wouldn’t be until 1874 when a lasting apron would be built.**

Jesus, our life is a series of attempts, successes, and failures. Help us view failures as You do; teachable moments. Thanks that this failure to build an apron eventually led to a successful preservation of the utility of St. Anthony Falls and the milling industry, but at the cost of destroying its’ natural beauty.

Will You bless us again through the Falls and the Mississippi? Will You gift us to persevere today when our work is totally destroyed by forces beyond our control? Will You help us work in harmony with beauty and nature?
http://www.mnhs.org/about/dipity_timeline.htm
** https://www.esci.umn.edu/courses/1001/1001_kirkby/SAFL/WEBSITEPAGES/5.html

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19th Century, Architecture, History, Intercession, Minnesota, Rivers

First Bridge Over the Mississippi 

Nicollet Island Bridge

Nicollet Island Bridge

The first permanent bridge over the main channel of the Mississippi River opens. It spans the river between Minneapolis and Nicollet Island.

The cable suspension bridge could be crossed by paying a toll of three cents (one way) or five cents (round trip) per human foot-passenger, fifteen cents per horse, and two cents per head for sheep.*

I bless the memory of this bridge today. It brought the people of St. Anthony and Minneapolis together. For some reason, I’m struck with the observation of how a simple physical connection, like this bridge, leads to the head and heart connections of people. Will You show us how to connect today?

Jesus, thanks that You are our bridge to the perfection of the Father! We fail to comprehend Your nature; will You teach us? How did You love your enemies; or those who saw themselves as distinct and separate from You?

Thanks that You have made us like You with an integrated personality. We can play the roles of husband, father, and son simultaneously. You play the roles of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and yet are One!  You bridge the islands within our hearts and minds and bodies! Amen.

* http://www.mnhs.org/about/dipity_timeline.htm

 

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