The 1950's bridge was structurally damaged by a big tree floating down the river during a flash flood. It took a while to tear down the old bridge and put up a new one and daredevils would often continue to cross the span. In a few years they will likely have to reroute the road a little bit because part of the west bank is only a couple yards from the blacktop.
I traveled to California to visit this bridge this past weekend, but I guess I was too late. The bridge has been removed and replaced with a concrete structure.
The construction of the new roadway and bridge to rplace the present bridge can be seen in this photo.
This bridge has been demolished and replaced with the bridge shown in the photo.
This photo says it all.
This bridge was still in use in July of 2007 when this photo was taken.
This bridge was still in use in July of 2007 when this photo was taken.
This bridge was still in use in July of 2007 when this photo was taken.
This bridge was still in use in July of 2007 when this photo was taken.
This bridge was still in use in July, 2007, when this photo was taken.
This bridge was still in use in July, 2007, when this photo was taken.
I've been acrooss this bridge before. I just think they should connect it to an Interstate.
i've been acrooss this brige before. I wish they could connect it to the highway
Wow, this really brings back memories of my teen years. Remember when we used to think that was "the spot". Everyone used to meet there and hang out. It's also the place we would go to sneak a cigarette! What fun memories!
State and Federal Governments constantly argue over where the funding of such projects should originate. But one can rest assured that if the bridge were to be suddenly rendered unusable - or collapse, God forbid, funding would somehow be found to replace it immediately. Why doesn't the State of Kentucky simply float a 20-30 year bond for their portion of the cost to replace the bridge, and the recover the cost by assessing tolls from those who use it, much like they did when the bridge was first erected?
This brings back so many memories. I grew up hanging out there every summer until we finally moved up there in 1976 and then my friends and I would hang out at "the bridge" everyday. We caught the schoolbus there each morning and got off the bus each afternoon. We lived only 2 houses away from it. My brother fished there daily and we even swam under it.In bad weather we hung out under "the bridge" I love that place.It is a beautiful bridge and in the fall with all the colors on the trees it is a beautiful site.
Originally there was a ford across the creek here, and the nearest resident was called Haggard, hence the name Haggards Ford. As stated in the main info panel above, the bridge was a WPA project, completed in 1941. It was closed in about 1962 because of feared instability in one of the piers due to water erosion of the land around the pier. At that time another low water crossing was built (another "ford") just barely visible in the photos above, and this was the only way for vechicles to pass here until the new bridge was built about 4 years ago, at which time the roads leading to the ford were removed. The swinging bridge, since restoration in 1977 is blocked to vehicle traffic, and is a pedestrian bridge only. It is very narrow for a vehicle bridge. When you walk across it there is a gentle bobbing up and down of the deck as it deflects with the weight of your steps. The current land-owner of the land adjacent to the bridge keeps one approach mowed and trimmed, and currently the "setting" for the bridge is more attractive than the vintage photos shown above.
Originally there was a ford across the creek here, and the nearest resident was called Haggard, hence the name Haggards Ford. As stated in the main info panel above, the bridge was a WPA project, completed in 1941. It was closed in about 1962 because of feared instability in one of the piers due to water erosion of the land around the pier. At that time another low water crossing was built (another "ford") just barely visible in the photos above, and this was the only way for vechicles to pass here until the new bridge was built about 4 years ago, at which time the roads leading to the ford were removed. The swinging bridge, since restoration in 1977 is blocked to vehicle traffic, and is a pedestrian bridge only. It is very narrow for a vehicle bridge. When you walk across it there is a gentle bobbing up and down of the deck as it deflects with the weight of your steps. The current land-owner of the land adjacent to the bridge keeps one approach mowed and trimmed, and currently the "setting" for the bridge is more attractive than the vintage photos shown above.
Visited this bridge today, shot some b/w art photos. Chatted with some locals swimming in the creek. According to them, this bridge was built for a blind lady who lived on the hill (west side) to be able to cross the creek to get to the general store she operated about a block away (east) from the bridge. Next to this bridge is a low-water culvert-type bridge for vehicular traffic, and according to the locals, that is all there ever was there for vehicles. The current low water bridge is about 4 years old, replacing an older one that was washed away in high water.
The Cavanaugh bridge was closed recently due to deck supports and floor beams being in bad shape. It is in a nice wooded setting stretching across the river. I hope it gets restored or preserved rather than torn down.
I was born and raised in St. Louis. My father, who is a history buff, told me all about the bridge many times throughout my childhood and its mystique stuck with me. After all these years I still never tire of seeing it. I took the image below at sunrise in August of 2005. Coincidentally, my childhood neighborhood in Crestwood was next to the old Eads mansion which was demolished when I-44 was constructed.
That this wonderful structure is in use again after many years of neglect is one of the great success stories in historic bridge renovation. The lower train deck has been refurbished for use by the Metrolink light rail service and the upper road deck carries vehicular traffic.
Fans of the bridge should be aware of the book "The Eads Bridge". Originally published in 1979, it was out of print for many years until 1999 when a 2nd edition was published by the Missouri Historical Society Press. There is a remarkable, extensive black and white photographic essay and a companion history about the construction of the bridge. It's a wonderful publication.
play with neighbor big mac
My Mom went across the bridge in a rumble seat....she is now 74..that must have been a scarey ride !
This bridge holds fun memories for me. I have crossed it many, many times from the 1960's till this very year, 2007.
My dear Dad, now passed on, made it a fun game for all of us kids. We'd hold our breath just as we got on the bridge and see who could make it till we crossed the other end. He always won of course...he grew up swimming in the Black river. I've crossed it in the worst fog I've ever seen from Portia until you got to Black Rock. I've seen the flood waters of the Black River all the way to the edge of Portia. This is a mighty bridge and as years have gone by I've always wondered about it's strength...now more than ever. I've lived away from Lawrence County for many years now but still go back at least every year or so to see realtives in Smithville and Walnut Ridge and each time I go over the Black River Bridge I hold my breath and so do my own children....I even make it to the end..Dad would be proud !!
The subject of bridges has come up in conversation lately, with the tragedy in Minnesota. I was thinking of the only bridge I was ever fearful of, and the MacArthur Bridge came to mind. My recollections are as a small boy at the time in the late 1950's and early 60's.
I grew up in southern Illinois, about 2 hours south of St. Louis, and we would make the trip several times a year. In those days, there were no interstate highways, and we would travel up IL Route 3. I recall the bridge having a very Gothic type architecture. Very foreboding, especially at night. All of the structure was black, and the approaches had relatively sharp turns. There was a multitude of yellow caution lights and warning signs that added to the effect. Semi-trucks would often mishandle these turns, and become "jacknifed" with the cab hanging over the short guardrails. From a childs perspective, the crossing of the bridge was a scary experience.
The other element I recall, was the stench from the pre-EPA Monsanto plant on the Illinois side of the bridge.
What a unique old bridge. It's a great find. I went to check it out today and took some photos. It was the middle of an extremely hot, bright afternoon so the contrast between light and shadow made it difficult to get a good image. I'll upload a few that I took from water level to give a different perspective.
Webmaster's note: The photos that were here have been incorporated into the main site.
I believe this bridge has been replaced with a new bridge.
I really don't think this bridge is in danger of falling down unless it is not taken care of for thirty years. The only problem I see is it is too small for all of the cars and trucks that try to cross it at one time. People I know in Cincinnati say that ever since the bridge first opened it was terribly congested. I think the two states had no attention span when they were building the bridge. They should have made it at least five lanes on both decks with emergency shoulders, and built the ramps further away. I believe the bridge is still good and strong but just not wide enough for all of the traffic. I wouldnt worry about it falling down. Just stay away from it during rush hour. What I think it would take to take it down would be barges hitting the piers on purpose at one time, or being packed with all 120000 pound overloaded trucks stopped on it rocking which is very UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN. Yes, the bridge is not for I-75 & 71 traffic anymore and a wider bridge needs to be built soon. I dont know if a decision has been made for if this bridge will be demolished or be used for a different lighter road when the new one is built.
As a child in the 1940s our family rumbled across that rusty old bridge many times. We lived on a farm near by. We fished in the Blackwater and occasionally played there also.
My husband, Jack and I. live on the old Henkins place. There was a Raleigh Henkins that came to this area probably in the 1850 or 60's. I am in the process of writing a story about the bridge and the old country store, Gould Farm that was there by the bridge. The trusses and frame work of the old Henkins Bridge, remains in an old shed that I have on our farm. My hopes is to restore the old building. Lavern Henry, who married Raleight Henkins daughter, Lena Mae, told me the story. He was my second cousin. And it is also interesting, we live just up the hill from the the Shoal Creek Bridge, to find we also still have one of the old thorny locust trees livi8ng on our place. Mrs. Henkins had brought the sprouts in her boots when she came to Missouri from New York and planted them. It reminds me of the old Olive Trees in "The Garden" in Jeruselam. I am not sure and haven't found the date when the store, called Gould Farm, was built. It was ran by one of the Henkins, Joe and his wife, Mary Casy Henkins. If anyone has more info on this would love to hear from you. I have lots of help from a man, who now lives in California, Joe Phillips. who was related to the the Combs family. One of the stories told was that John Gray who was from England came to Cowgill, as far as the rail road went and stopped for a while. He had left his wife in London England. He sent for her and she had her hope chest with her, but the old Shoal Creek was out and she took her chest and stayed on the hill. Can you imagine what she was thinking as she sat there waiting for her husband to come after her. The Grays were cousins of Donald Clayton, a well know farmer in this area.I would love to have a picture of the store when it was ran by the Henkins. Any help would be appreciated . . . Joan Hosman 998 N. E. Gould Farm Road Cowgill, Mo. 64637 Phone # 816-583-2069
According to the INDOT Historic Bridge Page this bridge is to be bypassed and remain in place as a pedestrian bridge. They did an excellent job with the restoration of the Boyd bridge (700S-#140) in the Greensburg park. I also hope they will save bridges #18 and #19 over the Flatrock River.
#18 features some nice portal decoration, and #19 is a rare product of the Converse Bridge Co. of Chattanooga, Tenn.
There was quite an interesting TV special on PBS's NOVA all about the construction of this bridge. It was two hours almost lost into detail going from routing the river flow and tower construction to when the roadway was finished. This apparantly sparked interest in some young minds on bridge construction. I don't know if a DVD of this can be purchaced anywhere or if this special will ever air again. I recommend watching it. They also showed the demolition of the old Alton Bridge at the end.
As of 8/6/07 this bridge has been closed. It has not been in that great of shape for many years. I just hope the county does not tear it down. In my opinion, there is plenty of room on the south side to build a new bridge to preserve this one. This is the only one left south of Greensburg over Sand Creek out of several. The 600S bridge south of this one was destroyed by a truck several years ago, and one on 1000S in a nice setting was oblitered by the county not long ago.
The railroad company that owns the bridge has absolutely no plans to reopen the bridge to auto traffic. It would cost them money to replace the deck, with little gain to themselves. But I agree, wouldn't it be great to have at least 2 more lanes going across the Mississippi? Perhaps the bridge could carry reversible express lanes across the river.
Also, this is the bridge that carries Amtrak across the river.
Upper level (eastbound) at the Brroklyn tower:
So, does anybody know any plans for the future of this bridge? This structure is very similar to the Pott's Ford Bridge in Cloud County, KS (1884) and the Spencer's Crossing Bridge in Anderson County, KS (1885), both of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. As this bridge appears to be constructed of wrought iron instead of steel (more popular after about the mid 1890s), it should certainly be a candidate for the NRHP as well.
There's absolutely nothing left of this bridge on the St. Charles side that would indicate that it ever existed. But on the other side of the river, the old approach hill to the bridge is still there (at the end of St. Charles Rock Road), along with the old roadway pavement heading up the hill. Barricades prevent driving up there, but it can certainly be walked.
This bridge was demolished in 2005. It was a very unusual and rare design, with a span that was like a Pennsylvania truss, but one third of the span extended beyond a pier and acted as a cantilever, which held up a smaller truss span. The bridge was likely unique.
This historic bridge was one of the longest bridges in Pennsylvania and it was demolished August 7, 2007 according to a local newspaper.
The above mentioned article states the bridge name as the Kentucky/Illinois Bridge. That is incorrect. It's the Kentucky/Indiana Bridge or more commonly referred to as the K and I. My e-mail address is wrong in that posting as well. Thank you to a local author who brought this to my attention.
Valla Ann Bolovschak
812-981-8000
This bridge was redecked in 2006 with wider lanes and narrower sidewalks. A steel truss pedestrian bridge was placed to the west to make up for the "loss" of sidewalks on the highway bridge.
I rode over the bridge from 1944 to the closing. The bridge talked to us as we drove slowly over the flexible boards. The road to the bridge curved like an S on the south entrance with an elevation entering the bridge...in winter, you hoped it would not be slick due to ice and snow. The Walnut River was usually slow most of the time, a haven for wild life, people fishing and just enjoying the view. The Walnut River at flood stage was a challenge to the bridge. I always hoped the floating trees hitting the bridge supports would not take the bridge out. The sights and sounds of the bridge are still within me and I was saddened when the township and county closed the road. I understood and softly said, "thank you" for my rides across. They were near perfect for a country girl.
man. I've been trying to get deck truss bridges to stay up in the simulator tonight and it's rare! BE CARFULL.
I drove over this bridge yesterday afternoon and snapped photos from the park to the southwest of the bridge.
It's really a very pretty three-span through-truss bridge. I was very excited to have the chance to photograph it.
There is an inscription on the upstream side of what has come to be known as "Esch's Spur" bridge. It reads: KIRK BRIDGE. At least, I think it does. Plus, there are several more lines of information that we could not discern. Anyone able to read more? There is so much debris abutted against the bridge now that it might be able to climb up to the inscription and take a rubbing!
There is an inscription on the upstream side of what has come to be known as "Esch's Spur" bridge. It reads: KIRK BRIDGE. At least, I think it does. Plus, there are several more lines of information that we could not discern. Anyone able to read more? There is so much debris abutted against the bridge now that it might be able to climb up to the inscription and take a rubbing!
This bridge is located in an extremely beautiful location yet poor maintenance has let it deteriorate to a point where I don't know if they will end up having to tear this down. I wouldn't be surprised if this one ends up collapsing someday as a truck drives across. You really start to wonder about the the structural integrity if you go underneath and look around. See http://www.rollanet.org/~conorw/cwome/article51&52combined.htm for more information on the condition of this bridge.
Picture taken Aug 5 2007
Wonderful Historic Bridge.. But is it safe to drive over?? I've seen large trucks crossing over this bridge myself..
New photos: (August 2007)
We came across the bridge quite by accident trying to get from the campground to the cavern. My husband took the van in about 75 feet and freaked out. We backed out and found the "5 ton" sign, but it still didn't convince him. Me and two of the kids walked across and back while dad and one stayed behind. I was amazed at the gaps and the views were spectacular. We never missed a beat and our six year old daughter kept asking why dad was afraid. It was exciting for those that crossed and a relief for those that didn't! What a beautiful park! Unfortunately we missed the cavern tour time due to the delay and had to "settle" for our next stop, Meramec Cavern...The walk over the bridge is well worth it!
I am very familiar with Gould Farm, the store, and the bridge. My mother was Edna Combs. I can remember as a young boy sitting in the store with my maternal grandmother (Freda)and my uncle Lloyd and listening to "gossip" on many evenings. We lived 3/4 mile East of New York School. My friend, Joan Hosman, Cowgill, MO is preparing a newpaper article concerning Gould Farm, and I have been helping her collect information. However, it is hard to come by as so many people have passed away. She is particularly looking for Don Rose, so I was so pleased to see the note from Don. I would ask Don to please e-mail Joan, or myself.
Having grown up in Paducah I beleive you made a mistake on the name of the I-24 bridge. The old Brookport Bridge is the Irvin S. Cobb Bridge.
I have always wondered about this bridge. I see the remains of it every time I stop at the rest area going to Batesville.
Most of the time there are kids playing or swimming around it in the water.
I'll take some pics of what is still standing the next time I'm through there and post them.
This bridge is presently under construction. The existing bridge has been removed and a new bridge is being built.
The bridge is in the middle of the old part of town. If you travel West on Bus 66 past the county jail you can't miss it.
The Ben Franklin Bridge opened July 1, 1926 and was designed and built by Ralph Modjeski (of Manhattan Bridge fame).
In addition to 7 traffic lanes, the bridges carries a pedestrian path and PATCO rapid transit/commuter trains
Known officially as the William A. Stickel Memorial Bridge or "Stickel Bridge", the Interstate 280 lift bridge is undergoing a major renovation throughout 2007 including repainting and rehabilitation of the road deck, towers and mechanical components. The project will extend the life of the Stickel Bridge, which was classified "structrually defiecient" by the NJ DOT in 2001 and originally planned for replacement.
US 1-9 Truck Passaic River Bridge (aka Lincoln Highway).
As of Summer 2007, this bridge has been torn down and a replacement is being built.
I live in Minneapolis & was always nervous about crossing this bridge. I avoided taking it if I could. I always thought it looked rickety. Also, when you were crossing it going south-bound, there was a big curve just as you were getting on the bridge. There were several entrance & exit ramps at that curve & you constantly had to watch for cross-traffic. I was afraid I'd drive off the thing. I'm so sorry that it collapsed taking people with it, but maybe now a better bridge will replace it.
I live in Minneapolis & was always nervous about crossing this bridge. I avoided taking it if I could. I always thought it looked rickety. Also, when you were crossing it going south-bound, there was a big curve just as you were getting on the bridge. There were several entrance & exit ramps at that curve & you constantly had to watch for cross-traffic. I was afraid I'd drive off the thing. I'm so sorry that it collapsed taking people with it, but maybe now a better bridge will replace it.
Sadly, this bridge is gone. Just look at your satellite map links from this page. You will see a brand new concrete stringer bridge, and you can see the old approaches to the pony truss, but the pony truss is missing.
This bridge is in serious need of replacement. Our school children cross this bridge twice daily. it is in the center of our county and is a danger to anyone crossing this bridge. There are no plans to replace this bridge and it is clearly a danger to everyone. this is a real concern to me and has been for a very long time.
The state of NJ is currently planning to destroy this bridge and replace it with a 70' high fixed span bridge.
Local citizens are opposing the plan, favoring repairing or replacing the bridge in its current form.
This bridge is in need of replacing. It's old and very narrow especially for Interstate 55 Traffic. Its time to replace for a much newer bridge.
Accroding to MTA Bridges & Tunnels, approximately ten lifts a year of the Triborough Manhattan Lift Bridge are conducted for maintenance purposes, and to honor requests from the US Coast Guard and various Maritime travelers.
This bridge no longer exists
US 1-9 Truck Route Hackensack River Bridge, aka "Lincoln Highway Bridge", lift span built in 1954. Simliar design to the 1948 William Stickel Bridge on Interstate 280 in Newark, NJ.
This is where on Christmas night, 2005 two Jersey City policemen died when their truck fell off the open bridge as they were guarding traffic (the traffic signals that night were broken).
Built 1930-32 and opened November 24, 1932. The Pulaski Skyway is almost 4 miles long and was referenced in the 1938 radio show "The War of the Worlds" and has been featured prominently on "The Sopranos". Each cantilever span is 550 foot long.
Passaic and Hackensack River spans:
Lower Level:
West main span 1182 feet
Center span (Roosevelt Island) 630 feet
East main span 684 feet
Total length from abutment to abutment 7449 feet.
Upper level 4 reversible lanes (max clearance 12'-no trucks). 4 lanes lower lanes, plus one south outer lane (eastbound only) and north outer lane dedicated for pedestrians and bicycles.
Queensboro Bridge images, including the upper level:
Designed and built by Ralph Modjeski. Carries 4 vehicle lanes on upper level (2 each direction) plus 3 reversible lanes on lower level. 4 subway tracks on lower level plus pedestrian and bicycle lanes on the south and north sides of the lower deck, respectively. B, D, N and Q subway routes use this bridge.
Views of the Manhattan Bridge, including upper and lower levels:
While looking for information on the Rough Hollow Bridge, Hermitage, Hickory County, MO, I found your information. I have an outline of the County 1830-1950 compiled by the Hickory County Historical Society, and it states that a wire suspension bridge was built in 1896 at a cost of $2100. This may be the swinging bridge.
The Rough Hollow Bridge framed with iron, East of Hermitage, over the Pomme de Terre River, was originally constructed in 1890-1891 at a cost of $5,699. The original bridge was torn down in 1931 and reconstructed at its present site in 1932 by Ross Hardy and C.C. Brookshire. It is still used today (2007), however, the wooden planks are wobbly and sometimes missing.
I crossed the golden gate bridge many times from October, 1952 to June, 1954. I was stationed at Fort Berry, accross the bay from San Francisco. My wife Carolyn and I had an appartment in San Francisco. I went to see the San Francisco Seals baseball team play many games. They were members of the Pacific coast league. Some of the other league members were Oakland, Los Angles, Hollywood, San Deigo, Portland, and Seattle. Major league baseball haden't come to the west coast yet. We also saw one of the major ice shows at The Cow Palace. We have lots of memories in San Francisco. Oh, buy the way. We walked to the middle of the golden one time.
Here are some pictures i have of the bridge. Hope to go back up there and snap a few better ones before it is replaced or they put up a second bridge. I have been hearing both.
Here is a picture i took of it while traveling across the road bridge between Kansas and Missouri.
Man NE Kansas has a ton of these. Usually there will be a sign before it warning not to enter during a flood.
Here are two photos I took of this bridge in July 2003.
Here are photos of the bridge I just took in July 2007.
I'm doing extentive research and gathering old photographs of all Logan County Steel Truss Bridges. Does anyone have any old photographs of ANY of the Petit Jean River Bridges? Also searching for any historical data and fascinating old stories pertaining to these bridges. Please contact:
THANX,
GHOSTBRIDGEHUNTER
Does anyone out there in "Bridge Land" have any photographs of this old bridge? I'm currently doing research on Logan County Bridges and would be happy to receive any old photographs and stories of interest. Please contact:
THANX,
GHOSTBRIDGEHUNTER
What bridges in Massachusetts are of the same contruction as Mississippi River I-35W Bridge?
Thanks,
Leon Cote
I crossed this bridge 5 days a week, going to and from school. Passing vehicles on the bridge in a school bus was quite scary, especially grain trucks. One day almost in the middle of the bridge we had to pass a grain truck. We had the windows open on the bus. There was a rod sticking out of the side of the truck, bus window high. The rod hung in one of the windows. The bridge is swaying to and fro. I don't recall how we managed to get by; I just recall being very nauseated. Sad to see that this bridge was destroyed.
The last time I crossed this bridge was at night, in the rain and sleet, in the winter on a 350 cc motorcycle. As I recall, the deck was of steel grating and really treacherous. Of course, under those circumstances, it's no wonder. I was crossing the country on the bike in the winter of 1968. I don't recommend it.
So exactly how safe is this bridge to cross? It looks a bit scary not having any guard rails and such. I'm not sure if that area gets and Ice or Snow but it would be a bit hard driving across it with Snow or Ice. It looks Beautiful tho!
Bridge was replaced in the summer of 2006.
Photo's taken 7/25/07 Approx GPS N37 44.282, W92 51.763
Photo 1 Looking East
Photo 2 Looking West/South side
Photo 3 Water damage to concrete at aproach/bridge junction
Photo 4 Looking West
Webmaster's note: The photos that were here have been incorporated into the main site.
Here are some pictures i have taken of this bridge. Even tho you can get into Perry using US-24 i always go down this street so i can pass over this bridge. I love older bridges.
My wife Lynda & I love your website, & love bridge hunting. Thank you for directing us to this beauty of a bridge.
This bridge has been hit numerous times. Recently was a couple years ago when a crane on a barge hit it. The AHTD closed the bridge to repair the damage, but did not repair it totally.
In 2008-2009 this bridge will be 80 yrs old. It has a rating of 40.10 that is totally unacceptable. It's frightening that every day hundreds of cars cross this bridge and it is deemed to be that unsafe.
I fortunatly do no have to cross this bridge very often except to visit family, but every time I do my heart is in my throat wondering if it will collaspe like the Silver Bridge did into the Ohio River in 1967 or the Minn. bridge did on Aug 1st 2007 into the Mississippi River.
What does it take to replace this bridge?? The thing falling in like the Silver Bridge or the Minn. one with dozens of people hurt & killed??? I blame this on the Govenor of both IN & KY, the state DOT in both state and any one else who is blocking the replacement of this bridge. If it falls in, any one who is killed, their blood is on your hands.
Is the current Atchison Railroad Bridge the same bridge as the original Atchison Railroad Bridge that opened in 1875? I can't seem to pin that down. If so, then I believe this bridge is the oldest existing bridge over the Missouri River in any state.
The 1871 St. Charles Railroad Bridge was located about 1/2 mile south of the current St. Charles Railroad Bridge. The alignment of the 1871 Bridge on the St. Charles side of the river was between Olive Street and French Street.
The 1871 St. Charles Railroad Bridge was located about 1/2 mile south of the current St. Charles Railroad Bridge. The alignment of the 1871 Bridge on the St. Charles side of the river was between Olive Street and French Street.
From old maps I've looked at, I would guess that this bridge was probably built around 1904 or 1905. It was clearly there as of 1906 but probably did not precede the Flood of 1903.
My grandfather, Theodore Klebba, owned a 1,000 acre farm on the Belle side of the bridge bordering the Gasconade River. I've walked across the bridge about 7 or 8 times to visit my uncle Adolph Klebba who passed away about 6 years ago. I started my walk from the Freeburg railroad tunnel (about 4 miles from Gascondy). My mother & father were caught on the bridge by a train when they were dating...they had to stand on the railroad tie platform which protrudes out over the valley. Needless to say, it shook them up pretty good.
From old maps, it looks like the older of these two bridges was built at the time that the "Liberty Bend cutoff" was created (circa 1949). Prior to that time, the Missouri River made a horseshoe bend to the north of these bridges. It also appears that in the 1930's and 1940's there was a bridge that crossed that old "Liberty Bend" channel of the Missouri river (north of the location of the current bridges). Is anything known about that old bridge over the old "Liberty Bend" channel of the Missouri River? I haven't been able to find any information about it except to see it on 1932, 1933, 1934 and 1941 Jackson County maps. It's clearly not around today, as the Highway 291 bridges at that location (i.e. the location of the old channel) are modern-style bridges, probably built no earlier than the 1970's or 1980's.
67.30 Sufficirncy rating
What is the rating of this bridge as of August, 2007. I have always been afraid on this one and the collapse in Minnesota has not helped.