1888-1943 Lost Upper Free Bridge over Illinois River at Peoria,IL

(Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; Satellite)

"Artistic license" makes this image look like it was AI generated. A swing span would never be partially closed while a boat is still going through the opening. And there is no pier for the swing span.

Unknown Artist via BridgeHunterkkk
"1888 – The wood-floored Upper Free Bridge at the narrows. On February 27, 1943, the bridge was struck by the towboat, “Sylvia T.” It was repaired; but right before its reopening on May 17, 1944, the “Sylvia T.” struck the bridge again and put it out of business for good. The United States War Department ordered the removal of debris from the channel, but the city disclaimed ownership and the War Department ultimately removed the debris and the center pier in 1947. The pier on the west side remains in place today. From the 1985 book Peoria! by Jerry Klein"

Tony Brocksmith posted two images with the comment:

The pictured bridge is just north of the McClugage (150) Bridge. One of the footings for this bridge, or a version of that bridge, is still visible on the Peoria side of the river, just east of the Water Works building.

Source: David B. Gould, Gould’s Illustrated Business Directory of the City of Peoria (Peoria, Illinois, 1887), “Free Bridge, Foot of Peoria Lake.” Digital image, FamilySearch Digital Library. Owning Institution: Peoria Public Library

Michele Sumner: In 1887 the first Santa Claus Parade was started as the kick off for the grand opening of that bridge and is the longest running Santa Claus Parade in the United States.

Bruce Phelps: That was the upper free bridge. I fished off the pilon while in high school. I am 88. My dad used to ice skate while going to kingman high school in 1930 when the river froze solid under that old bridge.

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Michael Scholl commented on Tony's post
I have several pictures of the Upper Bridge. The East Peoria road to the bridge goes past Bauer's old salvage yard..........

Michael Scholl commented on Tony's post

Roy Meyer commented on Tony's post

My great-grandfather (which is why I have the clipping).

He operated the Upper Free Bridge in his later years; his son, who at the time was State Senator Thomas Madden, got him the job (according to family lore).