Elkader Keystone Bridge

The Elkader Keystone Bridge is a historic structure located in Elkader, Iowa, United States. The old iron truss bridge that crossed the Turkey [River (Iowa)|Turkey River] at this location was declared unsafe in 1888. The Clayton [County, Iowa|Clayton County] Board of Supervisors decided to construct a bridge of native limestone as way of saving money and providing a reliable crossing. Engineer M. Tschirgi designed the structure and Dubuque stonemasons Byrne and Blade constructed the bridge. It was built at a cost of $16,282, and spans the river for. This is one of the largest twin arched keystone bridges west of the Mississippi River. A sidewalk was added on the north side of the structure in 1924. The bridge was individually listed on the National [Register of Historic Places] in 1976.