Minneapolis Stone Arch Bridge

[James P Sheehan]

My mother always said that her Grandfather, Patrick Ervin, was a bridge tender on the Stone Arch Bridge over the Mississippi River here in Minneapolis. I recently got a chance to look at a vintage city directory and found his name and address and was able to confirm that he was employed as a bridge tender. My question for all is, what would a bridge tender do to occupy a full time job? This particular bridge has two pairs of tracks. Would he have shoveled snow in the winter? What else to justify his employment?

 

[bnsf971]

At the very least, he would probably be required to walk the bridge and approaches at least once a day, watch for any maintenance that needed to be done, and keep an eye on any traffic going under it. There would be more, but that's what I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[James P Sheehan]

Thank you, Terry, for your thoughts! I appreciate your response.