Historic Bridges of Bureau County
Captain Swift Bridge
Location: West of Princeton (Directions) From North Main St. in Princeton, turn west on Backbone Road at (Beck’s Gas Station) to Epperson Road and turn left. Go 1 mile and road will fork. Take the right fork and the Bridge will be around the curve. You can also take W. Railroad Ave in Princeton to Epperson Road and turn left. The second covered bridge in Bureau County When the 90-year-old, steel bridge over Big is called the Red Covered Bridge. To go to the Bureau Creek in Princeton Township needed bridge travel 1 mile north on Main Street (Rt. 26) replacement, the Township envisioned a timber covered bridge that would complement the from Princeton. Cross over I-80 and turn left on picturesque rural landscape of the area. An 1990 East Street (just past Midwest Bus Co.) The innovative design from Willett, Hofmann & bridge is 1 mile from the intersection. Associates, Inc. made the bridge economical by You are still able to drive through the unique requiring the minimum amount of wood possible. bridge but take it slow since it is only one lane. Built entirely out of wood using 1800’s Watch for oncoming vehicles before you proceed concepts, the Captain Swift Timber Covered into the bridge. Be sure to stop in the picnic area Bridge offers two traffic lanes, a 16’-3” vertical on the north side. As you walk through the unique clearance, a 28-foot minimum roadway width, wooden structure that was built in 1863 you will and bragging rights as the only two-lane, alltimber covered bridge in Illinois. The bridge see a plaque in the bridge that says “For three was completed in 2006. Though it has the look quarters of a century this bridge, defying storms and feel of a 19th century covered bridge, the and floods, has carried the traveler across Bureau Captain Swift Bridge was designed to 21st century Creek. It well represents the unyielding character safety and traffic standards through a unique of those who erected it. meld of modern materials, historical accuracy, In tribute, to the building committee and to and innovative design. What may appear as an the other citizens of Bureau County who, with old fashioned timber bridge is truly a modern foresight and faith, planned and builded well, this engineering marvel. The bridge uses a burr arch in combination memorial tablet is today dedicated - September with an inverted kingpost truss. The burr arch was 5th, 1938. patented in 1804, and the kingpost truss was the There is a sign on the end of the bridge that most common truss used in the 19th century for states “Five dollars fine for driving more than timber covered bridges. twelve horses, mules or cattle at one time or for Rather than using timber solids, glulam (glueleading any beast faster than a walk on or across laminated wood, stronger than solid timber and this bridge.” fabricate-able in any length) was used for the main The photogenic bridge is enjoyed by load-carrying components. An all-wood structure photographers during all the seasons of the year. raised concerns about fire protection, so spray-on fire retardants were used and heat detectors, Please watch for “no trespassing” signs and installed and linked to the sheriff’s department and respect them. When the bridge was originally fire station. built in 1863, it cost $3,148.57. The 149-foot (45 While the initial cost of the timber covered m) span is one of six remaining covered bridges bridge surpasses that for an equitable steel in Illinois, and it is still open to traffic. It was once structure, the wood will not deteriorate from part of the Peoria-Galena Trail. winter salt, and the roof will protect the structure The bridge was added to the U.S. National and extend its life. The Captain Swift Bridge may Register of Historic Places on April 23, 1975. last 150 years or more. Simple Pleasures, Hidden Treasures 4 www.bureaucounty-il.com
Red Covered Bridge
