In 1865 a railroad trestle and swing bridge was built to Fort Snelling. The 520 foot long bridge featured a 250 foot swing span and carried the first Dakota County Railroad, the Minnesota Central. It also served the Minnesota Valley railroad.

Once across the river, there was also a half mile of wooden trestle arcing into the town of Mendota. The site of this crossing is located below the present day Mendota Bridge.