There are a lot of interesting historical places to visit on this side of North Dakota. The Fairview Lift Bridge is one of them. The bridge was built in 1913 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. It was built by Gerrick & Gerrick of Steele, North Dakota to cross the Yellowstone River. It is one of two almost identical bridges the Montana Eastern Railway built within ten miles of each other. Its near twin is the Snowden Bridge which crosses the Missouri River in Montana. The lift part of the bridge was only ever raised once as a test shortly after the bridge was completed.
On the other side of the river is the Cartwright Tunnel - North Dakota's only tunnel. The railroad has since abandoned this line and the bridge and tunnel have been turned into a walking path. Bring some flashlights and come explore these unique and historical structures. There are several geocaches and an Adventure Lab to find. In addition, there are more geocaching and lunch opportunities in the nearby town of Fairview, MT.
This event is a meet-and-greet and exploration as part of our monthly W.A.G.S. (Williston Area Geocaching Society) event series. We will meet in Sundheim Park (posted coordinates) at 12:30-1:00pm Central Time. Attending this gathering will count as your attendance for the event.
Afterward, I will lead an optional tour across the bridge and through the tunnel. This is a family-friendly event, good for kids, grandparents, and dogs. Bring some flashlights, water, snacks, or a lunch if you want to picnic in the park (there are also places to eat in Fairview or Sidney just down the road).