General Dean Suspension Bridge

The General Dean Suspension Bridge spans the Kaskaskia River at Carlyle in Clinton County, Illinois, United States. It is named after Major General William F. Dean, a native of Carlyle who served during the Korean War. The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was added to the Register in 1973.[3]

General Dean Suspension Bridge
The General Dean Suspension Bridge, ca. 2000
Nearest cityCarlyle, Illinois
Coordinates38°36′40″N 89°21′28″W
Area0.3 acres (0.12 ha)
Built1859 (1859)
EngineerP. Griffith Smith[1]
NRHP reference No.73000693[2]
Added to NRHPApril 3, 1973

History

The bridge was originally constructed in 1859 at a cost of $40,000. The original bridge remained in operation for nearly seventy years.[4] Before the bridge was constructed, travelers were forced to cross the Kaskaskia at Carlyle by ferry or over a mud bridge.[5] In 1950 the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) recognized the bridge for its architectural significance. HABS recommended preservation of the bridge.[6] The Illinois General Assembly set aside $20,000 for bridge restoration in 1951, and in 1953 the bridge was named after Major General Dean.[4]

References
  1. "Bridge drawing". 1933.
  2. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  3. Clinton County, Illinois, State Listings, nrhp.com
  4. Attractions & Outdoor Recreation Archived 2007-02-07 at the Wayback Machine, City of Carlyle, Official site
  5. Plaque on site, Photograph of plaque at Bridgemeister.
  6. Survey number HABS IL-225 - Suspension Bridge, Spanning Kaskaskia River, Carlyle, Clinton County, IL.
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