The American Hoist & Derrick building is visible on the far right in this photograph of the Mississippi River and its surroundings, taken as part of preliminary work before improvements were made to the river and harbor in the mid 1930s. Improvements to the harbor and river included dredging and other projects in and around the city of St. Paul. Work was completed in 1936.
An anchor barge is visible alongside the U.S. Dredge "William A. Thompson" . The dredge is a cutter-head dredge used on the Upper Mississippi and tributaries from 1937 to 2005. It is named for "William A. Thompson" (1864-1925), an engineer with the U.S. Army Corps stationed in Fountain City in 1896 and charged with river improvements on the Upper Mississippi.
Two railroad bridges crossing the Mississippi River, including the Stone Arch Bridge. A man is standing along the bank and the milling district is visible in the background.
Progress in the cofferdam construction at the Onalaska dam, under construction on the Upper Mississippi as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.
Clearing operations at the dike section of cofferdam at the Onalaska dam, under construction on the Upper Mississippi as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.
Construction of the cofferdam nearing completion at the Onalaska dam, under construction on the Upper Mississippi as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.
Burning brush in the dike area of the cofferdam for the Onalaska dam project, under construction on the Upper Mississippi as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.
A general view of the cofferdam under high water conditions. The cofferdam is part of the Onalaska dam project, under construction on the Upper Mississippi as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.
General view of equipment within the cofferdam, part of the Onalaska dam project. The Onalaska dam underwent construction as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.
A train car waits beside the cofferdam, part of the construction of the Onalaska dam. The Onalaska dam was constructed as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.
Workmen set up aggregate bins at the cofferdam, part of the Onalaska dam project, under construction on the Upper Mississippi as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.
A crane operates on common excavation and disposal of material below the cofferdam, part of the Onalaska dam project. The Onalaska dam underwent construction as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.
Men set up a pump for disposing of common excavation below the cofferdam, part of the Onalaska dam project. The Onalaska dam underwent construction as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.
Workmen use a hose inside the cofferdam in this photograph, which shows the condition of the lower elevation. The cofferdam is part of the Onalaska dam project and underwent construction as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.
Permanent steel sheet piling in place within the cofferdam, part of the Onalaska dam project. The Onalaska dam underwent construction as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.
A general view of the cofferdam under high water conditions. The cofferdam is part of the Onalaska dam project, under construction on the Upper Mississippi as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.
A general view of the cofferdam with the river elevation above the cofferdam at 637.9. The cofferdam is part of the Onalaska dam project, under construction on the Upper Mississippi as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.
A sub contractor places cofferdam fill while workers look on from the rail spur as part of the Onalaska dam project, under construction on the Upper Mississippi as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.
Men work on the hydraulic stripping of top soil inside of the cofferdam as part of the Onalaska dam project, under construction on the Upper Mississippi as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.
A general view of the unwatered cofferdam, part of the Onalaska dam project, under construction on the Upper Mississippi as part of Upper Mississippi River improvements.