New book tells history of Duluth's famous lift bridge

The aerial lift bridge is an icon in Duluth. It spans a small canal, connecting the city to Minnesota Point -- a long, narrow sandbar. When raised, the bridge allows giant ships to enter and leave the protected waters of Duluth Harbor.

Tony Dierckins is the author of a new book, "Crossing the Canal: An Illustrated History of Duluth's Aerial Bridge." To see a slideshow of pictures from the book, click here.

Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer met Dierckins in Duluth, right near the bridge. He said it was first built in 1905 as a "transfer bridge." It carried people over the water in something that looked like a giant basket.

Gallery

Fullscreen SlideshowPrevious Slide

1 of 1

Next Slide