User:Flatlander2008

Iowa Stonehenge

The term "Iowa Stonehenge" or "Iowa Stone Henge" refers to the pilings remaining from the 1/2-mile-long railroad bridge spanning the Des Moines River Valley between the towns of Madrid and Woodward, Iowa. The bridge was originally constructed in 1971 for the Union Pacific Railroad; however the decking on the bridge was later removed and used to expand the Kate Shelley Bridge in Ogden, Iowa.

The remaining structure consists of a row of 22, 130-foot-high pilings, approximately 100 feet apart, with a width of 16 feet. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation obtained the remaining pilings and land from the Union Pacific Railroad and began a multiple-year, $14.7 million campaign to create a 25-mile bike trail originally dubbed the "Ankeny to Woodward Trail" and later renamed the "High Trestle Trail".

The High Trestle Trail connects two 100 mile central Iowa trails creating both a unique Midwestern trail attraction as well as one of the largest trail bridges in the world.*

The term "Iowa Stonehenge" was first used during a November 24, 2008 donation to the trail project by Ankeny A.M., an organization of Ankeny, Iowa entrepreneurs. While reviewing pictures of the project, Matthew Watters, President of Ankeny A.M., stated to Merle Johnson, former mayor of Ankeny and Ankeny To Woodward Trail Committee Co-chair that the bridge pilings "looked like Iowa's own version of Stonehenge."

The term "Iowa Stonehenge" was later used to describe the pilings in a December 8, 2008 interview on "The Van and Bonnie Show", a morning radio program on WHO Radio (1040 AM) Des Moines, IA by Lisa Hein, Program and Planning Director of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

Further use of the term "Iowa Stonehenge" has been widespread.


 * The fifth-longest pedestrian bridge in the world.

Sources:

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, "Partners and Friends Secure Major Grant For Ankeny to Woodward Trail", Press Release, December 10, 2008

KXNO Radio (1460 AM), "The Kim West Cycling Hour", December 2008

WHO Radio (1040 AM), "The Van and Bonnie Show", December 8, 2008

Ankeny Register, "Ankeny A.M. Gives $250 to Trail Project", December 3, 2008

City of Ankeny, "Ankeny to Woodward Trail "Bridge Blitz" Garners Donation From Ankeny Business Group", Press Release November 24, 2008

WHO Television, Channel 13 Des Moines NBC Affiliate, Chopper 13 Report 2008