Stumped and Looking for Answers
Recently featured as NTPL #164, this structure is located just a pitching wedge South of the McCluggage bridge (not north as has been surmised) along the Illinois river. It was photographed by Scott of O’Brien’s Briarpatch and is visible by boat but not by car. If you want to get up close and personal you’ll have to take a hike through the woods, as I plan to do this weekend.
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My question is … WHAT IS IT?
Surely someone out there knows.
Update: According to commenter Anon E. Mouse, there is a similar structure on the North side of the bridge. I have no reason to doubt him.
August 9th, 2007 at 9:05 am
Lighthouse?
August 9th, 2007 at 9:15 am
Captain Harold of the Spirit of Peoria told us what it was on a recent cruise…but, for the life of me, I can’t remember.
August 9th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Pammy!!
August 9th, 2007 at 11:21 am
Well, way back in the day Peoria had a bridge made out of wood that crossed the river, but I’m not sure where. Maybe they are related somehow?
August 9th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
That was the upper free bridge and it was at the narrows I believe…
August 9th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Historic Peoria.com:
The wood floored Upper Free Bridge was built near the location of the current McCluggage Bridge in 1888. Before the construction of the bridge, people would cross the river by ferry at a rate of six and a quarter cents for foot passengers, twenty-five cents for a man and a horse, and wagons at thirty-seven cents. It is believed that Abraham Lincoln crossed the river on this ferry during one of his first trips to Peoria.
The citizens of Peoria Township voted to construct the bridge on August 31, 1887. A parade was held from downtown to the site of the newly planned bridge. This parade was the beginning of what has since become the oldest continuous parade in the United States. It is known today as the Santa Claus Parade. December 4, 1888 marked the second parade in celebration of the completion of the new bridge. City architect, George F. Wightman, designed the bridge.
On February 27, 1943, the bridge was struck by the towboat, “Sylvia T.” It was repaired, but right before its reopening on May 17, 1944, the “Sylvia T.” struck the bridge again and put it out of business for good. The bridge was demolished in 1947, with only the west side pier remaining today.
http://www.historicpeoria.com/entry.php?eid=267&catid=2&cid=1
August 9th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
crap, did I just win the game?
August 9th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Oh, wait, we still don’t know what those things are. Silly me.
August 9th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Oh, that guy driving the Sylvia T was SO fired! He later went on to pilot a boat many of you know as the Exxon Valdez.