1860+1953+1991 General Dean Suspension Bridge over Kaskaskia River in Carlyle, IL

(Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; HAER; Satellite)

"As of 1976, this was the only suspension bridge in Illinois." [Plaque via Bridge Hunter]

The original suspension bridge was opened for use in 1860. A US highway bridge was built in 1925. That helped save this bridge because it became a pedestrian bridge. Illinois state provided money in 1951 for a restoration that was completed in 1953. Illinois again provided money in 1989 for "major renovation and rehabilitation work" that was completed in 1991. [Photo 6 below]

Street View

Street View

Michele Duncan posted seven photos with the comment: "Carlyle Illinois suspension bridge."

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HAER has three photos. I didn't include the LoC captions because a Bridge Hunter comment indicates they are wrong. These are the photos 8-10 referenced in this comment by Bill Little:'

Great historic photos of the General Dean Bridge, nos. 8,9,10. Just a couple quick corrections to the captions, however. Photo #8 is described as "View From North-East"; actually it appears to have been taken from the south, looking north-northeast (the old river channel is seen curving eastward to the north of the bridge). #9 is described as a "View From South-West"; actually it's looking southwest from a vantage point to the northeast (old power plant on west river bank south of the bridge is easily seen). #10 is described as being of the "East End"; actually it's the west end looking northeast. I resided a number of years in Carlyle and lived 2 1/2 blocks west of the bridge on Fairfax Ave.

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