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General Dean Suspension Bridge

Coordinates: 38°36′40″N 89°21′28″W / 38.61111°N 89.35778°W / 38.61111; -89.35778
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General Dean Suspension Bridge
The General Dean Suspension Bridge, ca. 2000
General Dean Suspension Bridge is located in Illinois
General Dean Suspension Bridge
General Dean Suspension Bridge is located in the United States
General Dean Suspension Bridge
Nearest cityCarlyle, Illinois
Coordinates38°36′40″N 89°21′28″W / 38.61111°N 89.35778°W / 38.61111; -89.35778
Area0.3 acres (0.12 ha)
Built1859; 165 years ago (1859)
EngineerP. Griffith Smith[2]
NRHP reference No.73000693[1]
Added to NRHPApril 3, 1973
The General Dean Suspension Bridge in 1936 for the Historic American Buildings Survey

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]

History

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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

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ "Bridge drawing". 1933.
  3. ^ Clinton County, Illinois, State Listings, nrhp.com
  4. ^ a b 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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