Whose view? From where? February 2013
So many correct guesses this month! Congrats to Rebecca Miller, Mary MacDonald, Dot Drake, Jay Demma, and Linus Mickus, who notes his advantage in guessing the location of the photo: I work about 2 blocks south of this photo.
Joel Stiras wrote, This is a picture of Pool 2 and the Lafayette Bridge in downtown St Paul. I believe the picture is taken from a concrete platform underneath the Robert Street Bridge, which happens to be where the deepest point in Pool 2 is located. At normal pool elevation, the hole under the Robert Street bridge is over 50 feet deep. Wow!
Matthew Pahs notes, That's the current Lafayette Bridge (US 52) in Saint Paul. The replacement bridge is now partially constructed. Indeed it is; learn more about the project on the MnDOT website. Notably, this is one of the most constrained bridges in the state. It couldnt be built any lower because it would conflict with the height of some river boat traffic. And youll note that the lights on top of the bridge are abnormally short, because of the flight path from adjacent Holman Field.
Ron Middlestaedt writes, Appears to be looking downstream at the Downtown St. Paul bend in the Mississippi, Lafayette bridge dominating the scene. Historically, the head of navigation before the railroads arrived. Still active with barges tethered to the shore. In fact, Upper River Services (workday home to FMR Board Member Hokan Miller) is headquartered on the right hand side of the photo. Upper River Services is responsible for much of the local barging through the Twin Cities.
Mark Steven Apfelbacher writes, This Month's shot is taken along the main channel of the Ole Miss just upstream from the soon to be demoed Lafayette Bridge (US 52) and downstream from the Robert Street Bridge. Historically this is very close to the original launch site of steamboats that first came up the Mississippi. In the background you can see the soft cliffs of now Daytons bluffs. At its base is where Spirit Cave, a sacred Dakota place, now sits entombed with metal gates. A nice shot that transcends time and the sense of place on the river.
About Whose view? From where?
Each month in this section, we feature a photo somewhere along the river corridor in the Twin Cities that is in some way significant or important or just plain scenic. Individuals may then e-mail us and identify the view and explain why they believe it is significant to the community or important to them personally. Well publish some of your responses in the next issue of Mississippi Messages, where we will also reveal the correct answer.
To submit your guess and response, e-mail Bob Spaulding, River Advocate, through our contact form. The respondent to provide the first correct identification of the view and hopefully some interesting thoughts about its significance will receive a valuable prize for their effort. All entries must be received by the first day of the following month for consideration.