Towboat J.W. Hershey and the Robert Street Bridge; Saint Paul, Minnesota

Here's a view of the Hershey's bow and knees. The Robert Street Bridge is in the background. It dates to 1926.

Saint Paul is the historic head of navigation on the Mississippi River. A great deal of industry has flourished here. Most recently, there were several grain elevators and a coal-fired power plant along the city's waterfront. During harvest season, towboats and their barges would haul coal upriver for the power plant and take grain south. it was common to see several towboats moored at Lambert's Landing (aka The Lower Landing). The elevators are nearly all gone now. The coal-fired power plant was torn down this year (2009). So catching three towboats at the same time is a rare thing these days.

Towboat J.W. Hershey and the Robert Street Bridge; Saint Paul, Minnesota

Here's a view of the Hershey's bow and knees. The Robert Street Bridge is in the background. It dates to 1926.

Saint Paul is the historic head of navigation on the Mississippi River. A great deal of industry has flourished here. Most recently, there were several grain elevators and a coal-fired power plant along the city's waterfront. During harvest season, towboats and their barges would haul coal upriver for the power plant and take grain south. it was common to see several towboats moored at Lambert's Landing (aka The Lower Landing). The elevators are nearly all gone now. The coal-fired power plant was torn down this year (2009). So catching three towboats at the same time is a rare thing these days.