Camelback Bridge - Normal, Illinois - on Waymarking.com

The Camelback Bridge also known as the Bridge No. A797-14 is located on Virigina Avenue (originally Sill Street) between Broadway and Linden Street. The bridge originally spanned the Illinois Central Railroad tracks (now Constitution Trail). When the bridge was built circa 1870 and then replaced in 1904, the bridge had a high hump in the middle to clear the stacks of steam locomotives passing beneath thus the name Camelback. When the bridge was rehabilitation in 2000 the height was reduced to allow easier access for vehicles crossing.

The bridge consists of a 31 foot wood pony truss span with a king post at its center with access ramps on each side which are supported by unusual riveted iron columns. The iron columns called Phoenix columns, are patented design, invented by Samuel Reeve of the Phoenix Iron Co. of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania in 1862. The columns employ flanged arcs of cast or wrought iron riveted together at the joints thus creating a rigid, load bearing column.

The coordinates listed are for the west approach to the bridge. Near these coordinates is a sidewalk leading down to the Constitution Trail where you will get a better view of the bridge along with a historical marker about it.

Camelback Bridge (added 1997 - Structure - #97000383)
Also known as Illinois Central Railroad Bridge No. A797-14
Virginia Ave., across the Constitution Trail, Normal

Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Phoenix Iron Company, Illinois Central Railroad
Architectural Style: Other
Area of Significance: Engineering
Period of Significance: 1900-1924
Owner: Local Gov't
Historic Function: Transportation
Historic Sub-function: Road-Related
Current Function: Transportation
Current Sub-function: Road-Related

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