Property Record
1ST ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | FIRST STREET BRIDGE |
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| Other Name: | STONE ARCH BRIDGE |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 21890 |
| Location (Address): | 1ST ST |
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| County: | Lincoln |
| City: | Merrill |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
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| Year Built: | 1904 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1991 |
| Historic Use: | stone arch bridge |
| Architectural Style: | NA (unknown or not a building) |
| Structural System: | Stone |
| Wall Material: | Granite Stone |
| Architect: | CHARLES V. SHELDON; Fred Hesterman |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | First Street Bridge |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 9/12/1996 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 6/21/1996 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. 3 ARCH BRIDGE IS 130 FT IN LENGTH OF SEMI-COURSED GRANITE RUBBLE CONSTRUCTION. GRANITE RUBBLE RETAINING WALLS ON RIVER SIDES. REHABILITATED 2001. SEE DOT BRIDGE SURVEY #B-35-2 [Date Cnst:(DOT BRIDGE SURVEY)]. THE STONE ARCH BRIDGE WHICH CROSSES THE PRAIRIE RIVER ON W. FIRST STREET IS SIGNIFICANT UNDER CRITERION C AS AN IMPORTANT, IF NOT UNIQUE, THREE ARCH STONE BRIDGE IN MERRILL. NO OTHER THREE ARCH STONE BRIDGES ARE KNOWN TO EXIST IN WISCONSIN. IN 1903 FRED HESTERMAN RECEIVED A CONTRACT TO BUILD A STONE-ARCH BRIDGE OVER THE PRAIRIE RIVER ON FIRST STREET. HE USED SEVERAL ITEMS TO HAUL STONE OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL MONTHS, AND IN 1904 CONSTRUCTION BEGAN AFTER A CREW OF MEN TORE DOWN THE SIDES OF THE OLD BRIDGE. 2020: "The First Street Bridge (B-35-002) was constructed in 1904 following a design by Charles V. Sheldon. It is a 3-span bridge of rubble granite construction. Each arch displays a decorative pattern of alternating, single and double ring stones with tapered keystones. Pyramidal cutwaters are located on the north faces of the piers. The bridge measures approximately 130.5 feet in length with each span measuring approximately 43.5 feet. Newer parapets with metal railings are located along each side fo the deck." |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Merrill Advocate 17 February, 1903; 26 January 1904. 1997 Historic Merrill Commemorative Calendar. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |