Old Chain of Rocks Bridge - Truss Bridges on Waymarking.com

"The Chain of Rocks Bridge spans the Mississippi River on the north edge of St. Louis, Missouri. The eastern end of the bridge is on Chouteau Island (part of Madison, Illinois), while the western end is on the Missouri shoreline.

The Bridge was the most famous crossing of Route 66 over the Mississippi. Its most notable feature is a 22-degree bend occurring at the middle of the crossing, necessary for navigation on the river. The name comes from a "chain" of rocks crossing the Mississippi just below the bridge — an exposure of bedrock creating rapids in the river. Originally a motor route, it now carries walking and biking trails over the river. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.

The bridge was privately built as a toll bridge in 1929 at a cost of US$2.5 million and later turned over to the city of Madison, Illinois, the current owner of the bridge. In the late 1930s, Bypass US 66 was designated over this bridge and around the northern and western parts of St. Louis to avoid the downtown city (City US 66 continued to cross the Mississippi River over the MacArthur Bridge). Eventually, the toll was removed from the bridge due to a law prohibiting the collecting of tolls on US Highways. In 1967, the New Chain of Rocks Bridge was built immediately to the bridge's north in order to carry I-270; the Chain of Rocks Bridge was subsequently closed in 1967.

In 1981, the bridge was used in the shooting of the movie Escape from New York, along with other sites in St. Louis.

Following the structure's closure, the bridge developed a reputation for crime and violence, including the 1991 murder of sisters Julie & Robin Kerry.

In the mid 1990's, a Bigfoot monster truck drove over the "chain of rocks" located just downstream from the Chain of Rocks Bridge.

For nearly three decades the fate of the bridge was uncertain, though demolition seemed its most likely end. The high cost of demolition, however, indefinitely delayed that outcome until a new use was found. In 1998, the bridge was leased to a local trails group to operate. Four and a half million dollars have been spent on renovating the bridge for pedestrian and cycling use. Occasionally, motor tours for various Route 66 groups will be allowed use of the bridge." ~ Wikipedia


The bridge is accessible from either side of the river and is open from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. There are picnic tables available on the bridge if a person wants the enjoy a lunch sitting over the river. The walk across the bridges 5,353 feet is very enjoyable. During the months of December, January and February it is common to see bald eagles wintering in the area.

The coordinates listed are on the middle of the bridge on the Illinois -Missouri state line. To get a good river side view of the bridge go to N38° 45.381' W90° 10.306''

Note: When visiting the bridge I advise parking on the Illinois side of bridge rather than the Missouri side. If parking on Missouri side of bridge remove all valuables from your vehicle. This parking lot has one of highest vehicle break-in rates in the city. Another advantage of parking on the Illinois side is the close proximity to alternate river side viewing lot.

Date Built: 01/01/1929 Length of Span: 5,353 feet www: http://bridgehunter.com/mo/st-louis-city/chain-of-rocks/ Parking Coordinates:: Not Listed

Visit Instructions:
Log your find with a picture of the bridge with yourself or your GPS in the foreground. This shot does not have to be taken "on" the bridge. The shot should show the "truss" structure of the bridge as well.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   08/21/2022 RDM07 visited it 10/14/2017 Hipsu1 visited it 05/10/2015 YoSam. visited it 05/13/2014 veritas vita visited it 04/22/2014 TeamGMMP visited it 03/21/2013 Sneakin Deacon visited it 03/20/2013 Clown Shoes visited it 09/02/2012 frog1962 visited it 03/01/2012 bunyanpaul visited it 01/18/2009 Eagle1977 visited it

View all visits/logs