Historic Bridges of the U.S. | Mary's River Covered Bridge

Overview

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Photos

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Overview

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East portal

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Inside

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Close-up of truss

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Sign

Built in 1854, in continuous service from 1854-1930. Was originally part of a planned toll road between Bremen and Chester. All of the timber in the bridge is the original with the exceptions of the floor, floor joist, roof, and siding. Acquired by the State of Illinois in 1936 for purposes of preservation and a picnic area. Money for purchase of site was donated by Chester Chamber of Commerce.

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Overview

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East end

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West end

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Middle panels

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Construction equipment

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Side view

The following photos were taken Oct. 2005 by the webmaster

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South side

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East portal

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West portal

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Oblique view

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Inside

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Close-up of arch

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Center panels

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Vertical member

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Modern additions

A sprinkler system, plus new steel joints, look out of place against the older wooden members

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Underneath

An entirely new layer of load-bearing steel stringers has been installed underneath the bridge

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Lower chord

Map

Vicinity map

Map links:

Timeline

Compiled by James Baughn

1854: Bridge constructed as part of the plank toll road out of Chester
1930: Closed to traffic after replacement bridge built
1936: Bridge acquired by State of Illinois
1954: Rehabilitated
2004: Closed for reconstruction
June 10, 2005: Dedication ceremony for reconstructed bridge

Facts

Overview: Covered bridge over Little Mary's River northeast of Chester, just off IL 150
Location: Randolph County, Illinois
Status: Open to pedestrians only
Future prospects: Preserved
History: Built 1854; carried traffic until 1930; rehabilitated 1954 and 2004-05
Design: Covered Burr arch-truss
Dimensions: Length of largest span: 86.0 ft.
Recognition: Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on December 31, 1974
Approximate latitude, longitude: +37.94907, -89.76565 (decimal degrees)
37°56'57" N, 89°45'56" W (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Approximate UTM coordinates: 16/256992/4203772 (zone/easting/northing)
USGS topographic map: Chester
Inventory numbers: WGCB 13-79-01 (World Guide to Covered Bridges number)
NRHP 74000771 (National Register of Historic Places reference number)
BH 15628 (Bridgehunter.com ID)

Update Log

October 17, 2005: Posted new photos

Sources

Brian Frierdich - railtrekker [at] yahoo [dot] com

Comments

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