CROSSINGS OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 
225 
Four miles north of this point, at the island near Little Falls, is a very favorable crossing of 
three hundred and twenty-five (325) feet. 
Four wing-abutments, and a slight increase of truss, will be required, from the destructible 
nature of the ledge foundation, which is slate-rock, strongly impregnated with iron, and affected 
by the atmosphere. Two short bridges would be necessary—one of one hundred and twenty-five 
(125) feet, crossing each branch of the river to island ; thence embankment of one hundred 
and fifty (150) feet; thence bridge span of two hundred (200) feet over main channel of the river. 
The actual width of the main channel here is one hundred and seventy-five (175) feet, and the 
whole crossing the best upon the Mississippi from St. Paul to Fort Ripley. 
The boulders upon the hill-sides in this vicinity afford good granite for light masonry. The 
magazine at Fort Ripley is built of these boulders, but they are not abundant, neither do they 
furnish blocks of sufficient size for exposed bridge abutments ; the material for this purpose must 
be brought from Sauk rapids, thirty-two miles below. 
The country on each side of the Mississippi, from St. Paul to Little Falls, presents facilities 
for railway construction I have never seen exceeded. One hundred and twenty miles of level or 
slightly rolling gravel plain supersedes all necessity for ballasting, and affords peculiar advantages 
for forming an embankment road-bed, the very best mode of construction for guarding against 
the snows and frosts of a northern climate. 
Passing west from Little Falls, I find no serious difficulty to encounter over a route which had 
been represented to me as very severe. The country, to be sure, is broken, the ground springy, 
and the cost of moving material will evidently exceed that of the line east of the Mississippi* 
There is a greater quantity of earth to be excavated, and quite an increase in the amount of cul¬ 
vert masonry. Still, the surface presents a favorable aspect for good alignment. No cut will 
exceed twenty feet; there is no appearance of ledge; and, by exercising some degree of care in 
location, an excellent route can be obtained. 
I have no knowledge of this line extending beyond Long prairie. It is represented to me as 
broken into sharp ridges, very swampy, and quite thickly wooded. 
Summing up this matter, it seems evident that the proper course of the survey would be from 
St. Paul up the eastern shore of the Mississippi to Sauk rapids; thence, near the Red river trail, 
towards the headwaters of the Sauk. Sufficiently reliable information is afforded to prove to 
us that a very favorable route can thus be secured. The passage of the Mississippi is made at 
a point that does not interfere with steamboat navigation. It affords all necessary advantages 
to a communication with Lake Superior, is in a favorable position as regards an eastern con¬ 
nexion, and will thus insure the proper direction of capital in the location of private fines. The 
crossing at Little Falls is nearer a direct route from the Pacific to Lake Superior, and therefore 
worthy serious notice; yet it is evident that the interests of private companies should not be 
neglected, and that those operations should be fostered which, in efforts to develop the resources 
of this rich country, will add their share to the importance of our great enterprise, and aid in 
bringing it to a successful termination. 
Passing through a country already forward in vegetation, and presenting every facility for 
expediting the progress of the survey, the route at Sauk rapids is superior to all others in the 
features required by your letter of instructions. 
Submitting this result of my examinations, I remain, with respect, your obedient servant, 
F. W. LANDER. 
Governor Isaac I. Stevens, 
Chief of Northern Pacific Railroad Exploring Expedition. 
In reference to the best crossing of the Mississippi, in a report to me from Fort Union, sub¬ 
mitted May 8, 1853, the opinion that the crossing at Sauk rapids should be selected was 
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