Chain of Rocks Bridge

The Chain of Rocks Bridge is one of those Famous Route 66 sights. It has since been refurbished as a pedestrian/bicycle bridge, but when I visited it had been long abandoned.

Approach from the Illinois side was a bit tricky.

First I had to find my way to the Mississippi River, where I found several people fishing.

Then I had to walk north along the top of a levee. It wasn't paved and was covered with tall grass. I took this first picture from the top of the levee.

Finally I reached what used to be Route 66. It's hard to believe this was once the major highway between Chicago and Los Angeles. In fact, it's hard to believe it was a road.

From here I could see the eastern entrance to the bridge, or at least what's left of it.

I couldn't go out on the bridge because a chain link fence blocked it. OK, I could have gone out on the bridge by jumping the fence, but it was creepy and I was chicken.

I found a cool satellite photo from Terraserver.

Click on a picture to send it as a virtual postcard.

privacy statement