Embarras River Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Embarras River Bridge
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Southern portal of the bridge
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Wade Township Rd. 164 over the Embarras River at Newton, Illinois |
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| Nearest city | Newton |
| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1890 |
| Built by | Chicago Bridge Co. |
| Architectural style | Pratt through truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 98000472 |
| Added to NRHP | May 20, 1998 |
The Embarras River Bridge is a special bridge in Jasper County, Illinois. It carries a road called Wade Township Road 164 over the Embarras River. One end of the bridge is in the city of Newton, and the other is in Wade Township. This bridge is very old and has an interesting design.
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The Embarras River Bridge: A Historic Landmark
The Embarras River Bridge was built way back in 1890. It was created by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company. This company built the bridge to replace an older wooden one that was falling apart.
At about 148 feet (45 m) long, this bridge is quite long for its type. It is the only bridge of its kind in Jasper County. It is also one of the oldest truss bridges in the entire state of Illinois.
What Kind of Bridge Is It?
The Embarras River Bridge is a "Pratt through truss" bridge. A truss bridge uses a special framework of triangles. These triangles help the bridge hold a lot of weight. The "Pratt" part means it has a specific pattern of triangles. The "through" part means the road goes through the middle of the truss structure.
A Bridge with a Long History
Because of its age and unique design, the Embarras River Bridge is considered very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 20, 1998. This means it's a protected landmark.
From Road to Trail: Eagle Trails
In 2014, something exciting happened to the bridge. Renovations began to turn it into a new path. This path is now part of the "Eagle Trails" system. It's a great place for biking and walking. The work was finished in 2015, and now everyone can enjoy it!
