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In 1912,a spring mg fl ood washed out m uch o f the d m 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 the Elk River Power and Light <br /> Company was formed,and on January 20,1916 the first <br /> electricity was produced by two hydro-generators.A new <br /> bridge was discussed as an initial part of these dam <br /> improvements,but was not constructed. <br /> The new concrete bridge was finally completed in 1919 as part <br /> of the Jefferson Highway improvement through Elk River.46 It <br /> was designed by William A.Hewett of Minnea7olis,a local <br /> innovator in reinforced concrete construction.4 This bridge <br /> was replaced in 1993-94.The Highway 10 crossing over the <br /> Lake Orono portion of the Elk River was first completed in <br /> 1946. <br /> A bridge over the Mississippi to Otsego was opened in 1906.Its <br /> replacement was completed in 1985. <br /> lir <br /> 4110 ,s* <br /> ea �> <br /> ._;. .�., r-.ems <br /> The steel bridge(1886)over the Elk River in ca.1925.Photo:MHS. <br /> Transportation and Tourism <br /> Like many communities in the 1920s,Elk River attempted to <br /> attract a new generation of automobile tourists traveling along <br /> the Jefferson Highway. An ambitious project to bring visitors <br /> to the Camp Cozy resort west of Lake Orono was planned by <br /> J.B.Jesperson.The resort owner proposed a winding canal, <br /> locks,and bridges as well as gardens and a golf course on a <br /> g g g <br /> 500-acre parcel. Cottages as well as permanent residences <br /> were also planned qs At least a portion of the original design <br /> was completed. <br /> Elk River Historic Contexts and Phase II Downtown Commercial Area Study <br /> 22 <br />