The Merchants’ Bridge emerges from the undergrowth on the Far North Riverfront. It is a very old bridge, built only slightly more than a decade after the much more famous Eads Bridge. Opened in 1889, it was built to prevent… Continue Reading
I’ve always loved the massive steel girders of the MacArthur Bridge, snaking its way through Chouteau’s Landing. It even goes over the top of a warehouse at one point–that would never be allowed nowadays. I am giving a free lecture… Continue Reading
I come back to the MacArthur Bridge’s Missouri approaches frequently, as the giant steel lattice makes for great pictures.
Built in 1902, the railroad bridge over the Cedar River at Nashua is a gem. It’s surprising to see such a massive, concrete arched bridge–it looks very old-fashioned for the technology of the early Twentieth Century. The remnants of the… Continue Reading
The past is the present again.
MacArthur Bridge approaches at 7th Street. Age and grit.
Built in 1949, over the recently opened Chain of Rocks Canal, this bridge was largely obsolete in 16 years, when the new 270 bridge opened. Before that, it had carried a Route 66 Bypass to the old Chain of Rocks… Continue Reading
Many of the old lodges from the resort era at Castlewood still stand over on New Ballwin Road, but I’ve noticed an interesting trend recently. As can be seen below, in-fill housing, made to look like traditional architecture, has begun… Continue Reading
Since the construction of the Chain of Rocks Canal, the stretch of Mississippi River between the entrances of that canal is the longest portion of the navigable channel without barge or large boat traffic. It is sublimely beautiful, and worth seeing… Continue Reading