It is off the beaten path – the Thompson Mill Bridge, that is. The bridge can be found 3.2 miles northeast of Cowden; turn east off of Illinois 128, go 2.5 miles and signs point the way.
The Thompson Mill Bridge was built in the autumn of 1868 at a cost of $2,500. This beautiful bridge is proclaimed to be the narrowest covered bridge in the state of Illinois. The marker erected by the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Historical Society is mounted on the north end of the covered bridge across the Kaskaskia River.
The wording reads: “The road on which this bridge is located was once an important route between Springfield and Effingham.”
The wooden bridge is 108 feet in length and 10 feet, 7 inches wide. It is only 11 feet, 4 inches high and according to the information sign on the bridge, the siding stops before reaching the top cord to allow light to come in under the roof.
Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on March 13, 1975, the bridge is constructed with the Howe Truss System. This system consists of panels in two which cross on the diagonal.
Central Illinois is a lovely place in the fall, but at this bridge that crosses the slowly moving Kaskaskia River north of Cowdon, the locale is among the most peaceful to view nature at its best. The bridge is only open to pedestrian traffic and has been closed off to vehicles for many years.
Historical information shares that this is one of only five 19th century covered bridges remaining in Illinois. Covered bridges were constructed with a roof and sidewalls to protect the roadway from weather, even though many people think it was to keep horses from being afraid while crossing over the water.
GPS coordinates for the Thompson Mill Bridge, for enthusiasts, are N39 15.51,W 88 49.12; latitude is 39.258585 and longitude, -88.8187. For more information, go to the Shelbyville Office of Tourism at 315 E. Main Street in Shelbyville, or call 217-774-2244. Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication. |
