The fact that the Galena River used to be navigable is a reminder that Galena was an important river town back when Chicago was still mostly swampland. Looking for CN/IC in Galena also reminds me that Galena was the northern terminus of the original IC charter line and that Chicago was the terminus of a "branch."
Bob Krueger posted two photos with the comment:
I do not know if it was this group or another group based on the ICRR, but some time back someone was looking for some photos of the Illinois Central RR lift span bridge over the Galena River in Galena, Illinois. Here is a construction shot as well as a photo of the bridge which I stumbled upon on the internet and can't find it back to give any credit due. You know how that goes.... Anyway, the bridge was constructed in 1914 and was known as the Jackknife bridge, because that is the way it opened up when steamboats would pass through. Depending on who you talk to, that bridge only opened up for river use one or two times. Cost of bridge was almost $69,000. It opened on August 3, 1914 and was used until 1978, when a train derailment damaged the bridge beyond repair. If anyone knows the source of these photos, please post. I, in no way, want to take credit. Thank you. Bob KruegerDave Kroeger Wiped out in a derailment in 1978 iirc
Dan E. Brodigan Yes it was & Engineer was H.G. Christensen.
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| 1947 Aerial Photo from ILHAP The shadow shows the superstructure. |
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| R. Horn Railroad Photos posted Cantilever drawbridge, early 1950s. Location is unknown to me, but probably somewhere in the midwest. Lance Wales: It appears to me to be the Illinois Central bridge over the Galena River at Galena, IL. Bridge was destroyed by a derailment in the late 1970s. Chris Goepel would be a better source on this location. Chris Goepel: Lance Wales agree with you on the location of the bridge at Galena. Richard Fiedler: Lance Wales that’s what I thought when I saw the picture last night. |
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