Chain of Rocks Bridge c. 1958. We also went down to the beach on the Illinois side, skipped stones and took pictures. In 1966, a New Chain of Rocks Bridge was built immediately to the north and the old Chain of Rocks Bridge was subsequently closed on February 25, 1970. Thanks! A bridge, a park, a canal: Chain of Rocks, This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. The Chain of Rocks bridge was privately built as a toll bridge in 1929. We called the police and it took them about 45 minutes to arrive. I rated terrible because of the danger of crime ,if St Louis would get its act together and allow law enforcement to enforce law and order I would rate it . Click the link we sent to , or click here to sign in. In Illinois, travel a short distance east on Chain of Rocks Road to reach the Eagle Points Trail and Madison County . scenic view of lake and mountains against sky - chain of rocks bridge stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. In 1871, the St. Louis Water Works was created after a bond issue. and i'm happy to say the van was not bothered at all. i think its on the bridge for picture opts. In 1997 Gateway Trailnet obtained a long-term lease to rehabilitate the bridge and turn it into a pedestrian crossing. 14 reviews of Old Chain of Rocks Bridge "I am amazed that Yelp doesn't have a listing for the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River just North of St. Louis until now. A memorial plaque should also be put into place for these 2 women, one of which has never been found. The classic cars on this bridge are quite a site. Was a little scary for my sister, 80 year old mother and brother to be there and not another sole or any protection around. I JUST LEARNED THAT TEH BRIDGE WAS USED IN THE MOTION PICTURE, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, AND THAT HORRIBLE MURDERS HAPPENED THERE IN 1991. Maas himself recounted the difficulties he experienced: For more on the intake towers, heres a nice. The bridge remained abandoned and unused for decades. It's a nice walk and the view is tremendous! Ultimately Tom wasnt able to represent the book, so Jeanine became the sole author and spoke about the traumatic incident on the press tour. It links two statesIllinois and Missourinorth of St. Louis. There is opposition though. as we were on our way back to the car a alarm was going off and a 2001 tan impalla and a tan bemer were going through our cars. Conceal carry would be good if you take a chance with a visit. This historic span which is on the National Register of Historic Places is significant for several reasons, but the one that stands out and everyone notices is the 30 degree bend in the span on the Missouri side of . He said they patrol it once an hour. But you're here on BridgeHunter and that's a good thing! It would be terrible to lose this beauty to tornado! The Chain is no longer entirely natural. The second tower was designed by the St. Louis firm of Roth and Study in 1915. The Chain of Rocks Bridge opened to traffic in July of 1929, costing $2.5 million, and both approaches were landscaped, with the Missouri side marked by the new amusement park. The bridge was named after a formation within the Mississippi River known as the chain of rocks. Just north of St. Louis, a set of rapids known as the Chain of Rocks stretches across the river. I have tried to find details in archives but no luck. Such a wonderful place to visit except for the high crime. The towers needed regular maintenance to ensure machinery was operating properly. Ultimately Tom wasnt able to represent the book, so Jeanine became the sole author and spoke about the traumatic incident on the press tour. A park-like setting around a pool and a large, ornate toll booth anchored the Missouri end. I plan on making as large of a issue out of this that I can. Don't forget to lock the glove department on the vehicle. In my last post I left out Julie's name. West Alton, Missouri 63386 US Can also drive down to a view point to look up at the bridge. You should call and ask to see the security footage. Today the amusement park is long gone, but the bridge remains, as do the lock and dam and both of the intake towers. We were gone from our car less than 30 minutes and a window had been busted out and my purse taken. The city hoped to recoup some of the losses by selling the steel, but then the value of scrap steel plummeted. Nowadays, the land around the Chain of Rocks, and the entirety of the other two islands, provides wildlife habitat and flood storage and is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Tower #1 has been compared to the famous Moure Tower in the Rhine near Bingen, Germany. The tower is part of the Chain of Rocks Water Treatment Facility, which was built in 1915, and was the largest filter plant in the world at the time of its construction. These are from a few rolls of Kodachrome 64, shot mostly on March 31, 1991. Reviews . It got a short revival in 1981 when John Carpenter used the bridge as a setting for the film. The canal needed deep enough water for the ships that would use it, and to raise the level of the canal, engineers needed to raise the river level as well. When I look back on the photos now it's a little unsettling to recall the graffiti, open man-hole covers and the remoteness of the bridge at that time. For the newer bridge, see New Chain of Rocks Bridge. Updated December 18, 2017 2:44 PM One of the four men who raped two girls and threw them off a bridge in 1991 has pleaded guilty in Missouri, more than a quarter century after the crime. See you in 2010! It was one of the best mini vacations in my life. I was with my boyfriend and felt safe there: but wouldn't walk it by myself from the Missouri Side. In 1927 the Chain-of-Rocks and Kingshighway Bridge Company, a consortium of . My apologies. The bridge was closed, and NONE of us were supposed to be on it at all. http://www.rollanet.org/~conorw/cwome/article4.htm. A canal with lock system takes river traffic around the "chain of rocks" spillway (or dam). While waiting we heard from two other people, and later from the police that this is a common occurrence that has been happening for years. The Madison County Sheriff's deputy said that it was common for thieves to sit and watch people leave, smash the windows out of several cars and grab whatever they could. Then in 1936 Highway 66 was rerouted to go over the bridge. Also a great way to see the river miles. I was just thinking of that old bridge and googled it on a whim. I am afraid I should have given out if the brave fellows had not reached me last night. St. Louis Outdoor Adventures is created by people who love the outdoors and want to help more people discover endless joy of outdoor adventures. Decided to take a walk on the bridge today, July 25. Over the years the park added a number of attractions, but among the favorites were a swimming pool, an area for picnics, and a number of thrill rides including the Comet, the big rollercoaster. American Classic 1973-1994. No police presence and hoodlums are everywhere waiting to prey on out of towners. also its a non-policy she says to come out and do anything even with us having a plate number and had seen the people rob our cars. I suppose I was fortunate literally no one was around. HAVE THERE BEEN MANY REPORTED ROBBERIES? :o). So, the rapids you see today are minimal of what it was like back in 1929. After seeing this bridge mentioned in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, I decided to look it up online and consider visiting it. Once a RiverRat always a RiverRat. Furthermore, the bedrock was insufficient to support the weight of the piers in their original position. However, I think this makes it more dangerous because it attracts people that aren't risk takers and have no idea that they're making a dangerous choice by visiting this bridge. In fact, I was there on Nov 1, 2008, and FOUR cars on the MO side where broken into the two hours we were (I was parked on the IL side, as I was the three previous times). In 1991 Julie was twenty years old and her younger sister Robin nineteen. Thanks for the map! Every article, video, book, or tribute to Julie and Robin Kerry described these two young women as exceptional youth. Their website says the following: Parking and Trail Access. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 301 Riverlands Way Most days the parking is locked on the Missouri side and you have to go on the Illinois side to park. Built in 1966, the Chain of Rocks Bridge has needed more and more repairs in recent years as traffic continues to increase. info@mississippiriverwatertrail.org, Mississippi River Water Trail Association. We spent time on the bridge, walking it and marvelling at the water towers. Chain of Rocks Bridge: Chain of Rocks Bridge - See 182 traveler reviews, 267 candid photos, and great deals for Saint Louis, MO, at Tripadvisor. Rivers are also dynamic, so conditions can change from one year to the next. In 1975, just under 20,000 cars a day used the bridge. The bridge remained abandoned and unused for decades. As always, I hope you enjoyed this edition of Unseen St. Louis. Below youll find a few important tips to keep in mind as you approach the rapids. If you like what youre reading, video of bridge and intake tower exteriors, interior photos of one of the intake towers, the Great Rivers Greenway recently received a $990,000 grant, https://www.facebook.com/groups/chainofrocks, https://heartlandsconservancy.org/explore/chouteau-island/, https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/hunting/FactSheets/Pages/HorseshoeLake-MadisonCORPS.aspx, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chouteau_Island, https://www.stltoday.com/news/archives/a-look-back-st-louis-made-tap-water-clear-just-in-time-for-world-s/article_47bb2a25-6f2f-57f6-906c-86fc23abe442.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_of_Rocks_Bridge, https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/route66/chain_of_rocks_bridge_illinois_missouri.html, http://www.forestparkhighlands.com/chainofrocks.html, https://www.johnweeks.com/river_mississippi/pagesC/umissCM04.html, https://www.theroadwanderer.net/66Illinois/chain.htm, https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/rmr/2/chap9.htm, https://www.rivergator.org/river-log/stlouis-to-caruthersville/st-louis/pg/10/, https://www.americascentralport.com/post/gateway-to-the-gulf-the-chain-of-rocks-story, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_of_Rocks_Amusement_Park, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murders_of_Julie_and_Robin_Kerry, https://news.stlpublicradio.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2021-08-30/a-new-chapter-for-old-chain-of-rocks-bridge. Trailnet Inc., the nonprofit group that maintains the bridge, announced Monday that the era of window smashings is over. We had just read about the 1991 murders before we arrived and since we were there 3 days after the 17th anniversary of these poor young women losing their lives, it was needless to say a bit sad. The murders happened when she was 16. Now the Missouri side is patrolled on weekends during the summer (with a parking fee), while the Illinois side is wide open for criminals. A complete Route 66 ride to raise money for Cancer research. The Canal is narrow, theres no safe place to pull aside if barge traffic is heavy, and the scenery is a bore. I now live in Indianapolis, and took my family back there to visit. The canal bridge is a one-way bridge with a traffic light at each end and an eight foot bike late. I was in tears as I read the book that their cousin Tink wrote. Although technically not off-the-beaten-path (it's right next to the interstate) it takes a little maneuvering to get to. Incidentally, this is a great bicycle trail, but just a couple miles long. Eagle Days on the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is coming up this weekend. The initial plan for the bridge was a straight bridge, 40 feet wide, with five trusses forming 10 spans. 2011 Eagle Days will be January 15 and 16 from 9 AM to 3 PM. To view some video of this bridge check these links out at, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb7To3bpZmE, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9T_rblB_F8, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da--QY1OP4Y. Source unknown. At the end of the 1940s to the beginning of the 1950s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built a canal (8.4 miles) to bypass this section of the river. Leaving valuables in the trunk will not protect you from smash and grabs, as those petty thieves are not that stupid (they will smash the window and look for the trunk button inside the car). I grew up in Glasgow Village, spent many school picnics marching to the park. Unless there is a planned event I would recomend you STAY-AWAY. After ignoring several reports regarding theft at the bridge, we were robbed. Up until the 1920s, crews would camp out for days inside this four-story building, making sure the tubes in this intake tower were working properly, Here is a glimpse of what the inside looks like. We started working on this site quite recently (launched in October, 2020) and will be adding lots of new content and improvements in the coming months. That . Growing up on Chouteau Island in the early 60's, I remember this being a toll bridge. Such a feat is possible thanks to major engineering efforts in the 1940s and 1950s with the construction of the Chain of Rocks Lock and Dam, also known as Locks No. Then in 1958 investors bought Chain of Rocks Park and Ken Thone managed the park until it shut down 20 years later. Constructed in 1894, William Eames designed the tower in a Richardsonian Romanesque style. You can see the storm path at this link. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Recommended experiences in and around Saint Louis, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Scenic Walking Areas. One is at the foot of the Canal bridge, another provides fishing access downstream from the big bridge. It got a short revival in 1981 when John Carpenter used the bridge as a setting for the film, Escape from New York. This was the Chain of Rocks. 0 subscriptions will be displayed on your profile (edit). I would not recommend anyone visiting the bridge from the Missouri side.The lack of law enforcment in this area makes it unsafe to visit. Gray continued to p The person in the car who died is an unknown relative and I am putting a family tree together. We parked on the Ill. side, but we told everyone, take your cellphones and we cover up everthing else the best we could. The bridge was closed in 1967 when the new Chain of Rocks Bridge was built for I-270 just to the north of this bridge. Kimberly, It's going to take enough people like yourself that are fed up with this situation to change the local law enforcement stance. Parking is not advised at the Missouri trail end. This bridge is featured in the 1981 movie "Escape From New York" as the "69th Street Bridge" and was also the site of a 1991 rape and murder of two sisters. Those who remained had to abandon their homes after. There is no way this is a safe place to be with no law enforcement patrolling the area or even being close enough to respond quickly. 27, the most southern lock and dam on the Mississippi. No one should have to go through that. Depending on the river level, paddling through the Chain is either impossible or a breeze. ST. LOUIS - The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge closed to vehicle traffic more than 50 years ago, but it's become a popular spot for bicyclists and trail-goers in the bi-state region. The Chain of Rocks Bridge had been built in the late 1920s to provide highway access between Madison, Illinois, and north St. Louis. To get to the Illinois trail end from I-270, take Exit 3 onto Illinois Route 3 South/Lewis and Clark Blvd. The old Chain of Rocks Bridge spans the Mississippi River on the north side of St. Louis, Missouri. For nearly three decades the fate of the bridge was uncertain, and the bridge developed a reputation for crime and violence, including the April 1991 tragic murder of two sisters. Never assume you're not being watched! We never had any trouble out there with crime or anything. Bridge hours are from 9 AM to sunset, daily. On. The Chain of Rocks Bridge was a toll bridge, bringing in $900,000 a year to the city of Madison IL in its heyday. I set my GPS up to go to the address listed on the Missouri website which is: 10950 Riverview Drive. by a group of four men who also tried to murder their cousin Thomas Cummins. There is now a paved parking lot on the ILLINOIS side, right at the foot of the bridge. Bike path is open all days and can easily be accessed from the Riverfront Trail. Of course with a group of teenage boys, probably robbers would look for easier prey. Julie was 20, while Robin and Thomas were both 19. The Chain of Rocks Bridge crosses the Mississippi River in St. Louis. American Classic 1963-1972. You were robbed on the Illinois side? from $172.02. Rivers are also dynamic, so conditions can change from one year to the next. The two sisters were raped and then murdered by a group of four males, who also attempted to murder the sisters' cousin. The bridge was also used as a filming site for the movie Escape from New York in 1981. The rapes and murders of Julie and Robin Kerry occurred on April 5, 1991, on the Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. You will drive on a bridge over the Chain-of-Rocks Canal bridge before reaching the Chain-of-Rocks Bridge itself. seeming to be lazy and rather than put up NO PARKING signs. Its been there a week and will probably turn over. In my opinion, it is completely safe, at least from the Illinois side. I hope all enjoy it! You will then feel the breeze off the water as you cross the Mississippi, of course delighting in the sight of the intake towers not far from the bridge itself. This was an important part of our Route 66 trip and well worth the visit! The Chain of Rocks Amusement Park was open until 1978, when two fires in four years, plus competition from the new Six Flags Over Mid America (now just Six Flags St. Louis) theme park in Eureka, brought an end to the riverside park. This link has a pretty good explanation why, it has to do with river navigation and the way the bedrock is located. It's more of a memorial more than anythingfor those too girls. Many people lived on Chouteau Island in the past, but some were forced off the island due to flooding in the 1970s. The whole area seems a bit suspect and is a bit isolated. These robberies are real and obviously do happen so if you must go park on the IL side. When the new toll-free I-270 bridge opened 1000 feet upstream in 1967, the city of Madison removed the toll on the Chain of Rocks Bridge, but traffic quickly dropped from an average of 12,000 vehicles a day to fewer than 100. American Classic 1995-2010. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Here are some images from the Chain of Rocks Amusement Park over its 50-year run. I would let my children go on it alone during the day. Constructed almost 100 years ago, at the beginning of America's love affair with the automobile, and reinvented as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is a MUST VISIT attraction for every Historic Route 66 pilgrimage. I found a cool aerial picture of the site. The people in the van were tourists visiting from the Netherlands.All their luggage, including passports were stolen. I would hate for anyone else to go through what we did. I have a lot of fond memories of that bridge. Traffic was always fairly heavy and that made the bend all the more exciting, if that's the right word. It's hard telling, though, when the money will be available.
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