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Lost U.S. Highway 61 - Minnesota
North - Next Lost Highway - South
Lost U.S. 61: Old Alignment at Kellogg (Co Rd. 18 + bridges)
Bypassed: 1970
Also Marked As: 
1923/24-1934*
*Road graded north of Winona Ave in 1923, paved in 1926 - graded south of Winona Ave in 1924, paved in 1925
| U.S. 61 originally traveled directly through the small town of Kellogg in east-central Wabasha County until the construction of the modern four-lane bypass in 1970. The bypass was constructed around the west side of town, requiring the construction of a set of bridges over the Zumbro River to replace the aging crossing constructed in 1923. The old alignment through town was taken over by Wabasha County, and marked as parts of County Roads 30 and 18. South of the Zumbro River, the old road included one of the most unusual features on the highway between St. Paul and La Crosse - a railroad overpass requiring several very sharp curves and steep ramps on either side. The ramp on the south end of the bridge fed traffic onto Dodge Street in Kellogg at a 45 degree angle to the street grid, creating a bizarre 5-way intersection. The major online mapping sites continue to show the old railroad overpass and Zumbro River bridge as open, even though aerial photos from as early as 1991 clearly show that the Zumbro River bridge has been demolished. Topo maps from 1987 show the alignment as open, so it seems to safe to say that the bridge was probably demolished sometime in the late 80's or early 90's. The railroad overpass is still visible on a 1992 aerial photo (see below), so I am unsure when this structure finally bit the dust.
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In any case, the bridge's supports are still easily visible from Belter Road on the east side of town. The demolition of both bridges has rendered a long stretch of the old road on the northeast side of town inaccessible to vehicle traffic.
South of Belvidere Avenue, U.S. 61's old alignment on Dodge Street has long since been repaved and widened as part of County Road 18. County Road 18 now serves as a sort of unusual business loop, feeding traffic on Dodge Street back towards U.S. 61 on what was once State Highway 42's east end.
State Highway 42 is actually a remnant of Minnesota's original Constitutional Route system, first marked in 1921. Highway 42's original route into Kellogg was via Lark Lane, Knowlton Avenue, and Belvidere Avenue (the connection between Lark Lane and Knowlton Ave was removed by the construction of the modern alignment of U.S. 61 in 1970). U.S. 61 originally met Highway 42 at the intersection of Dodge Street and Belvidere Avenue until it was moved to a more southerly alignment in 1938.
Photos:
Photos were taken in August, 2005. For photos of the remains of the old Zumbro River bridge, see here.
Looking north on Belter Road/Winona Avenue on the northeast side of Kellogg, showing the remains of the bridge over the railroad tracks. The elevated grade of the old highway can be seen on the right.
Looking north at Dodge Street and Winona Avenue. The old ramp to the railroad bridge is visible just above my old Honda. A storage shed has been placed on the ramp, blocking access to the rest of the bridge approach.
Lost U.S. Highway 61 - Minnesota
North - Next Lost Highway - South
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