Community Corner
A Trip Back in Time: Bridge Collapse in Stillwater, Sept. 16, 1904
The photograph is a view of the burning and collapse of the historic wooden bridge over the St. Croix River at Stillwater, September 16, 1904.
Editor's Note: "A Trip Back in Time" is a photo feature showcasing moments of Stillwater's storied past.
If you have historic photos and memorabilia you would like to share with Stillwater Patch users, please email Editor Shawn Hogendorf with a photo description and story of the snapshot, if you know it.
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This photo was featured the Washington County Historical Messenger for Tuesday April 2, 2013 with the following information:
Today nearly everyone carries a high powered camera bundled into their cell phones. This summer at the Warden's House museum guests will have an opportunity to see examples of photography's more humble years.
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And it would be completely unfitting to feature an exhibit on photography at WCHS and neglect famous Stillwater photographer, John Runk. Spicing up the exhibit of cameras are several exciting pictures from Runk's massive collection, such as the one above.
The photograph is a view of the burning and collapse of the historic wooden bridge over the St. Croix River at Stillwater, September 16, 1904. At 3:10 P.M. of that day, the East end of the bridge span was discovered to be on fire. The fire department responded quickly. During the fire fighting, the hose cart ventured out on to the burning span. Suddenly the span collapsed, carrying horses, hose cart, and sightseers into the (river).
Rudolph Boo, George McGrath, and Edward McPheters were killed. James McGann, fire chief, pinioned under a huge timber could be removed only by sawing and chopping away the timber. He escaped with bruises and badly injured legs. Others injured were Ray French, Herman Wojahn, and Joseph DeCurtins.
The origin of the fire was unknown, but there was a suggestion that one of the tug boats passing under the span may have emitted sparks which eventually set fire to the structure. The bridge tender, John Clarey, made frantic attempts to keep the crowd off the bridge, but they crowded on the structure in large numbers. Fortunately, school had not yet been dismissed for the day so there were no children on the bridge, otherwise the loss of life might be have enormous.
Photo by C.A Leader, photographer, Stillwater, MN. Collected by John Runk.
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