Blog: Page Updates and Communication

Historic Photos from the Old Pigeon River Crossing

I just received two great photos from Mike Sebek of his grandfather and future uncles, the Johnsons of St Paul, on a family road trip in 1933 or 1934 at the old Pigeon River crossing between Canada and the United States on Highway 61.

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The first image shows the Johnson family posing at the steel bridge completed in 1930, looking north across the Pigeon River into Canada. From left to right: Charles I Johnson “Chuck”, Wilfred T Johnson Sr, Wilfred T Johnson Jr “Bill”.
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For comparison, here is me standing at nearly the same location in 2012, nearly 80 years later (the angle of the picture is to the northeast instead of to the northwest) The bridge has been removed, but the abutment remains.
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The second image is at the Canadian customs station (this building is visible in the first image above the left shoulder of Mr. Johnson Sr.)

Many thanks to Mr. Sebek for providing the photos!

For more photos and history of the historic Pigeon River crossing, see my article HERE

Construction Season

MnDOT has recently  released the list of construction projects for this year. From the looks of it, its going to quite a headache getting around this summer.  You can take a look for yourself by following the link to MnDOT’s page here.  I suggest taking a look to see if any highways in your area are up for reconstruction or realignment this year, and if so, you might want to get out and take a few quick shots before they’re changed / gone forever.

A few projects along U.S. 61 (a highway that you all probably know I’m a bit obsessed with at the moment) caught my eye. A three-mile section of Highway 61 north of Tofte along the north shore will be reconstructed this year. Also, four bridges near Dresbach (on the duplex with I-90)  will be replaced.