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• Orono in 1860.47 In1886 a steel bridge was erected in the same <br /> location as the present bridge.It was erected by the Wrought <br /> and Iron Bridge Co.of Canton,Ohio and had two 128-foot <br /> spans. <br /> Other lightweight bridges were attempted,apparently by mill <br /> owners,including the Hastings Bridge below the sawmill, <br /> which collapsed in 1898 shortly after its construction. - <br /> In 1912,a spring flood washed out much of the dam at Orono <br /> and also undermined the flourmill.The mill machinery was <br /> sold in 1913 and by 1914 a plan to build a new hydroelectric <br /> dam was in place. In 1915 Waterman formed the Elk River <br /> Power and Light Company.On January 20,1916 the first <br /> electricity was produced by two hydro generators.A new <br /> bridge was discussed as part of the dam improvements,but <br /> was not constructed. <br /> The new concrete bridge was finally completed in 1919 as part <br /> of the Jefferson Highway improvement through Elk River.48 <br /> It was designed by William A.Hewett of Minneapolis,a local <br /> innovator in reinforced concrete construction 49 The Highway <br /> 10 crossing over the Lake Orono portion of the Elk River was <br /> completed in 1946.The present bridge dates from 19xx? <br /> Elk River interests lobbied for a bridge over the Mississippi, <br /> which was opened in 1906.Its replacement was completed in <br /> • 1985. <br /> ,4.4 - <br /> • <br /> • 4 <br /> The steel bridge and the Elk River,ca. 1925. Photo:MHS. <br /> Elk River Historic Contexts Study Draft 5/2002 <br /> 20 <br />