You Can Buy This Rare 120-Year-Old Minnesota Bridge for $1, But There’s a Catch

If you've ever dreamed of owning a historic bridge (and who hasn't?), this might be your moment.

A county in southern Minnesota is offering a 123-year-old bridge for sale, and the price tag is about as low as it gets: one dollar.

See the list of Minnesota counties with the most bridges in dire need of repair at the bottom of this article 👇

The Redwood County Highway Department announced that it’s looking for a new home for the historic Gold Mine Bridge, which crosses the Minnesota River between Redwood and Renville counties.

But before you grab a dollar bill and start planning, there’s a bit of a catch.

The Bridge Has a Long History in Southern Minnesota

The Gold Mine Bridge was built in 1903 and stretches 191 feet long and about 16 feet wide. It carried traffic on a gravel road connecting Redwood County CSAH 17 and Renville County CSAH 21 in Delhi Township for more than a century.

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Structurally, it’s what's known as a Parker through-truss bridge, a design that’s pretty rare in Minnesota today.

In fact, the bridge has a unique distinction. It's the only surviving bridge designed and built by Lawrence H. Johnson, a notable bridge builder from the early 1900s. Because of that, the structure is considered historically significant and is eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Why is the Gold Mine Bridge Being Replaced in Redwood County?

Despite its long history, the bridge has reached the point where it can no longer safely handle traffic.

The structure had already been limited to 5 tons back in 2021, which meant things like farm equipment, school buses, ambulances, and fire trucks couldn’t cross it.

Then, in May 2023, inspectors found a serious structural issue in the truss system, and the bridge was closed to all vehicles.

Now Redwood County plans to replace it with a new bridge.

Why The Redwood County Gold Mine Bridge is Being Sold for $1

Rather than simply demolishing the old bridge, the county hopes someone might preserve it.

That’s why the bridge is being offered for a minimum price of $1 to a new owner who’s willing to give it a second life.

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There is one big catch, though.

While the bridge itself only costs a dollar, the new owner would be responsible for moving it, building new supports and foundations, constructing a new deck, and reassembling the structure at its new location.

So yeah… the real cost definitely isn’t just a buck.

Still, for the right project, it could be a pretty cool piece of Minnesota history to save.

County officials say the bridge could work well in a new setting like a park, along a trail system, or as a pedestrian crossing. It could also become part of a historic display somewhere that wants to preserve a unique piece of Minnesota infrastructure.

How to Express Interest in Purchasing the Historic Gold Mine Bridge

Redwood County says it’s accepting Letters of Interest until December 1, 2026.

Preference will go to proposals that preserve the bridge’s historic character and follow federal historic preservation guidelines.

They’d also prefer someone who plans to move and reuse the entire bridge, rather than just pieces of it.

Anyone interested in learning more about the bridge or submitting a letter of interest can contact Redwood County Engineer Nick Klisch at the Redwood County Highway Department, 1820 E. Bridge Street, P.O. Box 6 in Redwood Falls. You can reach him by phone at 507-637-4056 or by email at Nick_K@redwoodcounty-mn.gov for additional details about the project and the process for potentially giving the historic bridge a new home.