Railroad River Bridge

In October 1865, the C B and Q Board of Directors committed the railroad to build the Burlington Railroad Bridge. Federal authorization was granted on July 25, 1866. Work did not actually commence until January 30, 1867. An excursion train with 10 cars came from Galesburg just to cross the bridge. During the day the bridge was photographed by Mr. Monfort Hill on August 20, 1867. On August 23, 1867, the bridge was officially opened. Construction of the bridge cost $1,227,892. The length of the bridge as originally constructed was six spans 250 feet Long. The total length is 2,394 1/2 feet. The bridge is supported on limestone piers of solid masonry, 7 feet wide and 23 feet long at the top and 18 feet wide, 55 feet long on the bottom. (from Burlington Bulletin-No. 23)