[2] The Albia, Knoxville and Des Moines Railroad (AK&D) was planned to traverse the central part of Marion County.

The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) acquired the AK&D's assets in 1875 and completed the line.

Initially, the tracks did not cross the Des Moines River where the railroad employed ferries or a temporary bridge.

The CB&Q contracted with the American Bridge Company in 1878 to fabricate the wrought iron Pratt through truss span.

This article about a property in Marion County, Iowa on the National Register of Historic Places is a stub.