By Ed Shannon, staff writer

Fountain Lake has always been a scenic and recreational asset for the people of Albert Lea, and also an obvious obstacle for the efficient movement of vehicular traffic. The alternative has always been to go around the main part of the lake on the Blackmer, Hatch, Bancroft and Bridge Avenue bridges.

However, at least twice in Albert Lea&8217;s history serious suggestions were made as logical solutions for one of the city&8217;s major traffic problems. Why go around the lake to get from one side to the other when a bridge across the water barrier would provide a shortcut for local commuters?

The first suggestion for a cross-lake bridge was made in a 1901 issue of the Freeborn County Times weekly newspaper. This article declared:

&8220;The most important project now before the people of Albert Lea for consideration is the construction of a wagon bridge across Fountain Lake from the foot of Broadway or Newton streets. The far reaching effect of the construction of this bridge is apparent,

and the proposition demands the serious consideration of all those interested in the future of Albert Lea. For the past three or four years, this city has enjoyed a rapid growth, and of so substantial a nature has been this growth that we are warranted in believing that it is permanent and that, moreover, it may be indefinitely continued if proper advantage is taken of our exceptional opportunities.&8221;

To put one part of this article in perspective, this was before the advent of automobiles and the reference to a wagon bridge for horse-drawn vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians is correct. Also, the official designation of Broadway and Newton as avenues was made a few years later.

The Times article continued on to give these reasons why Albert Lea really needed a new bridge across Fountain Lake.

&8220;With all the prosperous farming area surrounding this city, our unrivaled transportation facilities and natural picturesqueness of location, Albert Lea is confronted with a great obstacle to its future development, namely, the want of room to grow in and the consequent high price of residence and building lots. While the towns around us may extend their streets block after block or even mile after mile in any direction, Albert Lea is cut off from the north within two blocks of its post office and principal business&8217; corner by a large lake and to the east three blocks and again to the southeast by a river, lake and low lands. On the west and south the numerous railroad yards and tracks form something of a barrier. No one thing would do more to assist the rapid growth of Albert Lea than the addition of a large tract of land at a reasonable distance from the business center where residence lots for employers and employees could be had at a reasonable price.&8221;

Again, an explanation is needed for two details in this 1901 news article. First, the city&8217;s principal business corner at that time was based on the intersection of Clark Street and Broadway. And, second, the Albert Lea Post Office was then located in one of the buildings at this corner as a tenant.

Yet, there were a few negative factors regarding this proposed new bridge. The Times article said:

&8220;The disadvantages of the construction of this bridge are first, the damage to the appearance of Fountain Lake and second, the maintenance which would fall upon the city, it being assumed that the property owners are to bear all the cost of construction. The reply is that the necessity for more building lots outweighs both objections.

&8220;A bridge at this point will be less unsightly than one constructed in any other portion of the lake, and the cost of maintenance will be small. We can much better afford to mar the landscape especially as we have plenty of it left, than to impair the chances of the city for expansion and growth.&8221;

The second concept of a bridge across Fountain Lake was officially presented to the Albert Lea City Council in 1948 as just one part of the master plan prepared by I.S. Shattuck, a planning and traffic consultant from Wayzata.

Shattuck proposed that Elizabeth Avenue should become a major thoroughfare and the southern approach for a new bridge across Fountain Lake. The northern portion would connect with North Shore and Lakewood Avenues to become part of a long-range system of improved highways around the city.

The Elizabeth Avenue Bridge became a very obvious feature on several maps that Shattuck included in his master plan for the city of Albert Lea.

In 1948, Elizabeth Avenue was four blocks long and ran north and south from East Pearl Street to Clark Street. Between the end of Elizabeth Avenue and Fountain Lake, on the north side of Clark Street, were two buildings. One was the parochial school belonging to St. Theodore&8217;s Catholic Church. (This building was later torn down and replaced with the present parish house and offices.) The other, much larger, structure was known as the American Gas building which later became the quarters for a car dealership. (The City Center now occupies this site.)

Shattuck&8217;s proposal didn&8217;t indicate what was supposed to happen to these buildings, but his maps indicated one of the structures would have to be demolished to provide space for the southern approach to the bridge.

On the north shore of the lake, the bridge would have connected with North Shore Avenue approximately where the present parking lot for the city beach is located.

Some longtime residents who recall the bridge proposal have suggested that it would be of the pontoon type, or a long span across the lake with a possible pier in the center. Shattuck actually had a different concept. In his presentation to the city council, he wrote, &8220;Fill for the recommended thoroughfare across Fountain Lake (with the appropriate opening for a bridge in the center) should be programmed as a part of a future lake dredging operation.&8221;

There&8217;s no indication in Shattuck&8217;s master plan as to the estimated cost of the proposed bridge across Fountain Lake.

Many of Shattuck&8217;s proposals made in 1948 were never accepted by the city council or the voters of Albert Lea. And one of the most obvious is the now nearly forgotten Elizabeth Avenue Bridge.