Kate Shelley High Bridge

Kate Shelley High Bridge is a steel railway bridge that crosses the Des Moines River in Boone. It was built as a two-track structure to carry trains and is constructed with distinctive steel support towers.

Engineer George S. Morison designed this bridge for the Chicago and North Western Railway, with construction completed in 1901. It emerged during a time of major railroad expansion in America and was crucial for connecting Chicago to western destinations.

The bridge is named after Kate Shelley, who at age 15 crossed a dangerous bridge during a storm to warn of a train accident and save lives. Her act of courage remains connected to this place and shapes how people think about it.

The bridge is visible from the river below but is not accessible to the public since it remains an active railroad line operated by Union Pacific Railroad. It is best viewed from safe vantage points accessible from the river valley.

The bridge ranks among the highest and longest double-track railroad bridges in the United States, making it a remarkable feat of engineering history. Its construction represented a significant technical achievement of the early 1900s.

Location: Iowa

Architects: George S. Morison

GPS coordinates: 42.05917,-93.97000

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:44