RHODES – It’s been around since 1912, but in many ways the Hoy Bridge is an undiscovered treasure in the area.

The former rail bridge over Clear Creek between Rhodes and Collins on the Heart of Iowa Trail, is tucked into the landscape and can only be accessed by a bike ride or a long walk on the trail.

“I think people enjoy the historical aspect of the bridge, as well as the unique architectural style with the concrete arches,” said Diane Hall, naturalist with the Marshall County Conservation Board. “The immensity of the structure in the remote location is awe inspiring for the time at which it was built.”

The bridge is 212 feet long, 60 feet high and was part of the former Milwaukee railroad, which became the Heart of Iowa Trail.

The bridge is 1.7 miles from the trail stop in the town of Rhodes. There is a side trail which allows visitors to view the bridge from an observation deck.

The 32-mile Heart of Iowa Trail runs from Melbourne to Slater and is a cooperative effort between the conservation boards of Story and Marshall counties. Hall is a frequent user of the trail on her bike.

“The wooded atmosphere of the trail not only offers great bird watching, it’s an ideal place to bike, walk or ride a horse,” Hall said. “Not what you would typically think as landscape in central Iowa.”