Illinois Archives - History in Your Own Backyard

The Bridge to Nowhere, Chicago, Illinois

Constructed in 1895, Chicago’s “Bridge to Nowhere” is an old Chicago Surface Lines “Streetcar” trolley line which is now part of the Chicago Transit Authority. The bridge was built by the Ch…[View More]

Chicago & Alton Bascule Railroad Bridge, Chicago, Illinois

According to Historic Bridges.org: The Chicago & Alton Bascule Railroad Bridge was built in 1906 by the American Bridge Company of New York. This bascule railroad bridge is 214 feet long and spans…[View More]

Bridge Named After Victim of Fatal Automobile Accident, Harvey Gordon Clark Bridge, Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois

Designed & built in 1895 by Charles L. Strobel who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1852 & Daniel H. Burnham who was born in Henderson, New York in 1846 the Jackson Park Lagoon Bridge was built…[View More]

The Animal Bridge, Woodlawn, Chicago, Illinois

Originally built in 1904 the “Animal Bridge” in Chicago’s Jackson Park is definitely a one of a kind bridge. Designed by architect Peter Weber the bridge is 117 feet long and according to Nathan…[View More]

Blue Island Junction Railroad Bridges, Blue Island, Illinois

On the southside of Chicago is the small city of Blue Island which is home to one of the most photographed railroad sites in the nation…the Blue Island Junction Railroad Bridges. At this locati…[View More]

The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Bridge, Lemont, Illinois

This bridge in Lemont, Illinois, just outside of Chicago was built in 1898 by the Keystone Bridge Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with the superstructure contractor being Carnegie Steel Company. T…[View More]

Wabash Railroad Bridge # 738, Danville, Illinois

I found this rail line just northeast of Danville, Illinois extremely interesting. First off you have 2 sets of tracks running southwest to northeast that cross over the KBSR Rail line (Kankakee, Beav…[View More]

Historic Hoopeston, Illinois

Hoopeston, Illinois has a very colorful past which includes being home to several POW Camps for German soldiers during WWII. During their confinement in Hoopeston, one small group of prisoners escaped…[View More]

The Vermilion County Fairgrounds Stone Arch Tunnel, Batestown, Illinois

This stone arch tunnel near the Vermilion County Fairgrounds was built in 1901 for the Peoria & Eastern Railway. The rail line was used almost exclusively for grain hauling and the line was last …[View More]

Historic Rossville, Illinois

Rossville was incorporated as a village in August 1859. Rossville and Ross Township were named after Jacob Ross, a settler in the area. Rossville was originally named Liggett’s Grove in honor of…[View More]

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